On Dec 6, 2006, at 10:49 AM, Kat Walsh wrote:
The question of whether a single-sex list is 1) needed and 2) appropriate for Wikimedia to host is a valid one. For discussion by everyone. Its existence does *not* affect only the women; it affects the whole community. (Those women who would at the present time like to discuss the issue in a more private forum can do so -- and have done so.) So I would like to hear discussion from everyone it affects, including you -- but if you're not going to raise the tone of that open discussion, don't join it. Which applies to everyone, including several others in the many spawned threads, but particularly those who would otherwise claim to value respectful discourse and consideration of others' needs.
-Kat
I think this should be up to the women who feel there is a need. I support hosting if a significant number of women want it. Whether it has value can be determined by participation and outcome. That is an experiential thing. Such groups provide an opportunity for gossip and backbiting, but so do a host of other venues. It is up to the women who participate to weigh the negative as well as the positive outcomes. One positive aspect might be development of the confidence to appropriately assert yourself, should anyone feel reluctant or unable to.
Fred