In a previous post, I criticize militant sexual harassment policies for conventions like Defcon, and suggest a more polite alternative. A copy of this policy is below:
Exhibitors: Please, no "booth babes" or otherwise using sex to promote your products.
Speakers: No offensive jokes, especially those that might offend the opposite sex. No pornographic images. No sexualized images or content, unless relevant to the talk. If in doubt about appropriateness, please discuss with conference staff ahead of time.
Attendees: Please be aware that there is an enormous male-to-female sex ratio, with the consequence that females feel harassed by too much unwanted male attention, making the con experience particularly unpleasant for them. Do not "grope" or touch women in inappropriate places; one would think we shouldn't have to ask, but apparently, this happens often enough that we do. Be aware that just because a woman hasn't forcibly turned you down is that it's because she's trying to be polite, having expected to be treated as a colleague at a technical conference rather than a conquest at a bar. Please be especially aware of this when drinking, as your judgement is highly impaired: it's certain that if you are having a real good time, that lady you just met isn't. Not having maced you yet should not be treated as an invitation.
Ladies: It's horribly unfair to ask anything of you in order to be treated as a human being, but there are three things. First, please feel free to be rude -- these creeps are usually thick headed rather than malicious. Second, most people around are civilized, and saying things like "get this creep off me" should get others to come to your aid. Third, please contact conference staff about any concerns in order to make this (and future) conferences less hostile, especially by identifying creeps that we can kick out of this (and future) conferences.
1 comment:
why is this only for the ladies. lets think of a better policy:
Exhibitors: Please, no using sex to promote your products.
Speakers: No offensive jokes, especially those that might offend the opposite sex or the same sex. No pornographic images. No sexualized images or content, unless relevant to the talk. If in doubt about appropriateness, please discuss with conference staff ahead of time.
Attendees: Do not "grope" or touch anyone in inappropriate places; one would think we shouldn't have to ask, but apparently, this happens often enough that we do. Be aware that just because a person hasn't forcibly turned you down is that it's because she's trying to be polite, having expected to be treated as a colleague at a technical conference rather than a conquest at a bar. Please be especially aware of this when drinking, as your judgement is highly impaired: it's certain that if you are having a real good time, that person you just met isn't. Not having maced you yet should not be treated as an invitation.
Everyone: It's horribly unfair to ask anything of you in order to be treated as a human being, but there are three things. First, please feel free to be rude -- these creeps are usually thick headed rather than malicious. Second, most people around are civilized, and saying things like "get this creep off me" should get others to come to your aid. Third, please contact conference staff about any concerns in order to make this (and future) conferences less hostile, especially by identifying creeps that we can kick out of this (and future) conferences.
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