On 26 February 2017 at 18:12, Pax Ahimsa Gethen list-wikimedia@funcrunch.org wrote:
Thank you for sharing that Rachel Nabors post, David; bookmarked. I think some on this list are missing the point that codes of conduct are necessary to help provide a welcoming and safer environment for marginalized people, including the neuroatypical that Tim refers to (somewhat disparagingly). It isn't about virtual signaling or earning social justice cred; it's about addressing some of the legitimate concerns and fears that prevent people including women (of all races), people of color (of all genders), LGBT+ people, and others from participating fully in spaces and events.
- Pax aka Funcrunch
Sorry to disagree, but this particular committee is being created on hypothetical grounds rather than on practical experience and past case histories for the technical environments being targeted.
Based on my experience of homophobic harassment, I would not go near this committee to report an issue as it cannot provide any assurance of confidentiality, nor can they provide assurance that information provided will not be used for other purposes. Emails sent to the envisioned committee can be kept as records indefinitely by WMF legal, who have already refused to explain what records they already hold on volunteers, and will not cooperate with the police or an attorney of a victim of harassment without a subpoena (which presumes you already know what evidence they are holding).
It's a nice thought that the motivation for a code of conduct is to provide safer spaces for LGBT+ people and others, but the implementation, in this case, is an overly bureaucratic ghastly mess, before it has even started.
Fae