[Foundation-l] Introducing a new mailing list

[Michael Snow]

rfrangi at libero.it wrote:

>[snip]
>  
>
>> From the day I heard Angela was on the board because she had big boobs 
>>    
>>
>[snip]
>
>Huh!?! Really? Where does she hide 'em?
>
>But seriously,
>
You think trying to make a joke excuses comments like that? I hope that 
Angela has developed a thick skin (in the figurative sense, not the 
literal physical one) from her experiences, but she shouldn't have to be 
subjected to this. It's exactly these sorts of comments, yes these sorts 
of "jokes", that create what is known as a hostile work environment and 
can lead to sexual harassment lawsuits.

I've expressed concern before about the gender disparities in our 
community, and wondered about their causes. I had hoped that since 
gender is not always apparent online, the problem was largely 
inadvertent and that much of it could be addressed in a positive fashion 
by simply continuing to encourage women to participate. But between the 
things Anthere relates and this kind of response to them, I am appalled.

--Michael Snow