The problem of how to create a truly safe space is a tricky one. I
would like to relate two difference experiences, both more than 20
years ago but still cause me to reflect on how best to achieve it:
When I was an undergraduate fresher in a well known London college, I
was puzzled by the lack of a Gay Soc. It was the 1980s, still a
radical time, and I wanted to be out and proud and test my views with
other gay people. I eventually found out that only two years before,
the college rugby team had joined the gay soc en-mass and at its first
meeting of the year voted to disband the society. A despicable act,
which certainly serves as an example of why ensuring that members of a
community group that might experience hostile lobbying would want to
ensure those joining share the values and aims of the community. Sadly
the Gay Soc took several years to be re-created so it was not until I
was a postgrad at another University that I could take part in such a
group.
My other experience was when working in a large bank. Based on the
success of establishing a women's professional network, we formed a
LGBT network which then pushed the organization on policy changes to
ensure greater equality. In theory we were open to anyone, however no
'straight' person ever did join. A feature of our 50-ish member group
was that we had many fun social events, the gay men in particular felt
free to swap gossip, stories of their sex lives and relationships, and
frank suggestions about London clubs and bars (a long time before
Grindr). To be honest, our conversation would not have been as fun or
social if anyone felt they had to mind their p's and q's.
I would understand why having a declared women only space would feel
like a much safer space for many women. Certainly it would be a freer
space, where blowing off a bit of steam, or talking through more
radical ideas which might be unacceptable in 'public', would not be an
issue. Being a man, I might be excluded, but I would support having
*both* open and controlled membership spaces, especially if
interesting discussions in the controlled space mostly get shared in
the open one. Having both solves different issues, and may be the only
way we have to side-step the sort of disruption seen in the last few
months; though I suggest that "control" is weak and not left entirely
to those with the normal Wikimedia project admin or Arbcom background
as methods of blocking, banning or moderation is not necessarily
helpful when attempting to embrace creative and at times difficult
ideas.
P.S. Happy New Year everyone. :-D
Fae