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A lot of people want to support women in geek communities, but aren't sure where to start, or don't know whether what they're doing is wanted or appreciated.
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A lot of people want to support women in geek communities, but aren't sure where to start, or don't know whether what they're doing is wanted or appreciated.
   
 
The following resources offer suggestions for how allies (including men) can support women in geek communities.
  
The following resources offer suggestions for how allies (including men) can support women in geek communities.
   
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== Supporting feminism and anti-sexism in general ==
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== Basic concepts of feminism and anti-sexism in general ==
   
 
* Read up on [[Feminism 101]]
  
* Read up on [[Feminism 101]]
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* [http://kateharding.net/2009/10/08/guest-blogger-starling-schrodinger%E2%80%99s-rapist-or-a-guy%E2%80%99s-guide-to-approaching-strange-women-without-being-maced/ Schrodinger's Rapist, or a guy's guide to approaching strange women without being maced]
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* [http://yesmeansyesblog.wordpress.com/ Yes Means Yes] blog
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== Basic resources about women in geekdom (read these) ==
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* [http://geekfeminism.org/2009/10/17/how-does-biology-explain-the-low-numbers-of-women-in-somputer-science-hint-it-doesnt/ How does biology explain the low numbers of women in computer science? Hint: it doesn't.]
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* [http://ashedryden.com/blog/codes-of-conduct-101-faq Codes of Conduct 101 FAQ]
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* FLOSSPOLS (2002 demography study of open source community)
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** [http://www.flosspols.org/deliverables/FLOSSPOLS-D16-Gender_Integrated_Report_of_Findings.pdf FLOSSPOLS - Integrated Report of Findings on Gender]
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** [http://www.flosspols.org/deliverables/FLOSSPOLS-D17-Gender_Policy_Recommendations.pdf FLOSSPOLS - Gender Policy Recommendations]
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== Ally skills ==
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* Learn about the dangers of [[Feminism 101 discussions]] and do your own reading and thinking and listening, rather than treating feminists as on-tap educators
  
* Learn about the dangers of [[Feminism 101 discussions]] and do your own reading and thinking and listening, rather than treating feminists as on-tap educators
 
* Avoid [[Elementary mistakes]]
  
* Avoid [[Elementary mistakes]]
 
** Such as [[Bad sexism comebacks]] (there are also [[Good sexism comebacks]])
  
** Such as [[Bad sexism comebacks]] (there are also [[Good sexism comebacks]])
 
* [http://synecdochic.livejournal.com/214607.html Don't Be That Guy] by [[Denise Paolucci|synecdochic]]
  
* [http://synecdochic.livejournal.com/214607.html Don't Be That Guy] by [[Denise Paolucci|synecdochic]]
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* [http://www.starhawk.org/activism/tools-whiteguys.html Tools for White Guys who are Working for Social Change] (and other people socialized in a society based on domination)
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* [http://www.xyonline.net/content/tools-white-guys-who-are-working-social-change%E2%80%A6-and-other-people-socialized-society-based-do Tools for White Guys who are Working for Social Change] (and other people socialized in a society based on domination)
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* [http://community.livejournal.com/feminist/1362470.html 12 helpful suggestions for men regarding conduct in feminist spaces]
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* [http://www.empirecontact.com/libera/2007/11/suggestions-for-men-regarding-conduct.html 12 helpful suggestions for men regarding conduct in feminist spaces]
 
* [http://sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com/838741.html being an ally part 1: listening to anger]
  
* [http://sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com/838741.html being an ally part 1: listening to anger]
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* [http://theangryblackwoman.com/2009/10/01/the-dos-and-donts-of-being-a-good-ally/ The Do’s and Don’ts of Being a Good Ally] from [http://theangryblackwoman.com/ Angry Black Woman].
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* [http://tumblr.automattack.net/post/159783844/words-are-not-fists-some-thoughts-on-how-men-work-to Words are not fists: some thoughts on how men work to defuse feminist anger]
  
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* [http://juliepagano.com/blog/2014/05/10/so-you-want-to-be-an-ally/ So you want to be an ally] by [[Julie Pagano]]
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* Some articles about ally anti-patterns/ally smells:
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** [http://juliepagano.com/blog/2014/02/26/bad-ally-quiz/ Bad Ally Quiz]
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** [http://juliepagano.com/blog/2014/05/03/ally-smells-fear-of-speaking/ Ally smells: fear of speaking up]
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** [http://juliepagano.com/blog/2014/02/28/ally-smells-appropriation/ Ally smells: appropriation]
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** [http://juliepagano.com/blog/2014/03/10/ally-smells-boundaries/ Ally smells: boundaries]
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== Men: things they can do, etc ==
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* [http://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men.html Tony Porter: A Call to Men] (TED talk video)
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* [http://www.hugoschwyzer.net/2006/05/25/words-are-not-fists-some-thoughts-on-how-men-work-to-defuse-feminist-anger/ Words are not fists: some thoughts on how men work to defuse feminist anger]
 
* [http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/freelance/quagmireofmasculinity.htm The quagmire of masculinity] by [http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/index.html Robert Jensen] (and [http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/articles_gender.html other Robert Jensen articles])
  
* [http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/freelance/quagmireofmasculinity.htm The quagmire of masculinity] by [http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/index.html Robert Jensen] (and [http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/articles_gender.html other Robert Jensen articles])
 
* [http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2008/04/11/feministe-feedback-being-a-feminist-boyfriend/ Feministe Feedback: Being a Feminist Boyfriend]
  
* [http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2008/04/11/feministe-feedback-being-a-feminist-boyfriend/ Feministe Feedback: Being a Feminist Boyfriend]
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* [http://www.anamardoll.com/2012/11/deconstruction-how-to-be-male-ally.html Deconstruction: How To Be A (Male) Ally]
 
* [http://fugitivus.wordpress.com/stuff-what-boys-can-do/ Stuff What Boys Can Do]: Harriet over at [http://fugitivus.wordpress.com Fugitivus] is collecting "examples, anecdotes, and stories...for men that want to help but don’t know what to do."
  
* [http://fugitivus.wordpress.com/stuff-what-boys-can-do/ Stuff What Boys Can Do]: Harriet over at [http://fugitivus.wordpress.com Fugitivus] is collecting "examples, anecdotes, and stories...for men that want to help but don’t know what to do."
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* [http://theangryblackwoman.com/2009/10/01/the-dos-and-donts-of-being-a-good-ally/ The Do’s and Don’ts of Being a Good Ally] from [http://theangryblackwoman.com/ Angry Black Woman].
  
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* [http://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men.html Tony Porter: A Call to Men] (TED talk video)
  
   
 
== Understanding privilege ==
  
== Understanding privilege ==
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* [http://blog.shrub.com/archives/tekanji/2006-03-08_146 “Check my what?” On privilege and what we can do about it]
  
* [http://blog.shrub.com/archives/tekanji/2006-03-08_146 “Check my what?” On privilege and what we can do about it]
 
* [http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2008/06/men_feminism_ne Men, Feminism Needs You! (Not Your Privilege)]
  
* [http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2008/06/men_feminism_ne Men, Feminism Needs You! (Not Your Privilege)]
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* [http://scienceblogs.com/isisthescientist/2009/05/comrade_physioprofs_handy-dand.php Comrade PhysioProf's Handy-Dandy Guide For D00dly Commenters] - advice particularly relevant to blogs and comments
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* [http://isisthescientist.com/2009/05/12/comrade_physioprofs_handy-dand/ Comrade PhysioProf's Handy-Dandy Guide For D00dly Commenters] - advice particularly relevant to blogs and comments
 
* [http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html Rape Culture 101] - Understanding Rape Culture
  
* [http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html Rape Culture 101] - Understanding Rape Culture
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* [http://www.doctornerdlove.com/2011/11/nerds-and-male-privilege/all/1/ Nerds and Male Privilege] , [http://www.doctornerdlove.com/2012/01/nerds-and-male-privilege-part-2/all/1/ Part 2]
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* [http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/15/straight-white-male-the-lowest-difficulty-setting-there-is/ Sraight White Male: The Lowest Difficulty Setting There Is]
   
 
== Supporting women in geek communities ==
  
== Supporting women in geek communities ==
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* Look at how best to [[Recruiting women|recruit women]] to your project and how to [[Promotion to women|promote]] communities, events and products.
  
* Look at how best to [[Recruiting women|recruit women]] to your project and how to [[Promotion to women|promote]] communities, events and products.
 
* Consider how to run [[women-friendly events]].
  
* Consider how to run [[women-friendly events]].
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* [[Interacting with women]].
 
* Learn about [http://geekfeminism.org/2010/05/31/ask-a-geek-feminist-the-definitive-women-in-csstem-resource-thread/ why women are a numerical minority] in many geeky careers.
  
* Learn about [http://geekfeminism.org/2010/05/31/ask-a-geek-feminist-the-definitive-women-in-csstem-resource-thread/ why women are a numerical minority] in many geeky careers.
 
* [http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Encourage-Women-Linux-HOWTO/ HOWTO Encourage Women in Linux] by [[Valerie Aurora]]
  
* [http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Encourage-Women-Linux-HOWTO/ HOWTO Encourage Women in Linux] by [[Valerie Aurora]]
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* [http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/ten_easy_ways_attract_women_your_free_software_project Ten easy ways to attract women to your free software project] (note that this article contains a lot of un-examined [[Essentialism|gender essentialism]]; you may wish to read it with a critical eye, and consider how much you agree with what is described there.)
  
* [http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/ten_easy_ways_attract_women_your_free_software_project Ten easy ways to attract women to your free software project] (note that this article contains a lot of un-examined [[Essentialism|gender essentialism]]; you may wish to read it with a critical eye, and consider how much you agree with what is described there.)
 
* [http://cavlec.yarinareth.net/2007/03/30/what-some-folks-can-do-if-they-choose/ What some folks can do, if they choose] by [[Dorothea Salo]], a description of possible helpful responses to sexism that men could make
  
* [http://cavlec.yarinareth.net/2007/03/30/what-some-folks-can-do-if-they-choose/ What some folks can do, if they choose] by [[Dorothea Salo]], a description of possible helpful responses to sexism that men could make
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* [http://www.feministgamers.com/?page_id=148 Feminist Gamers: It's about choice] A response to the common argument that video games where women are highly sexualized aren't a problem because playing the game is a matter of choice.
  
 
* [http://blogs.gnome.org/bolsh/2010/03/05/stfu-2/ Dave Neary on shutting up more in meetings] (inspired by [http://www.danspalding.com/articles/stfu.html a Dan Spalding piece] )
  
* [http://blogs.gnome.org/bolsh/2010/03/05/stfu-2/ Dave Neary on shutting up more in meetings] (inspired by [http://www.danspalding.com/articles/stfu.html a Dan Spalding piece] )
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* [http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/a-simple-suggestion-to-help-phase-out-all-male-panels-at-tech-conferences/266837/ Refuse to speak on all male panels]
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* [http://www.jennagretsch.com/gender_inclusive_IT_presentation/index.php How to give a Gender Inclusive IT presentation] by Jenna Gretsch
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== Other Resources ==
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*[http://www.nasco.coop/sites/default/files/srl/Action%20Camp%20Packet.pdf NASCO Action Camp Ally Workshop Packet] (pdf)
   
 
== See also ==
  
== See also ==
  +
* [[Intersectionality]] for information on axes of oppression other than sexism and how they interact.
 
* [[Feminism 101]] for a non-gender specific overview of introductory material on this wiki.
  
* [[Feminism 101]] for a non-gender specific overview of introductory material on this wiki.
 
* [[Allies]] for discussion of feminist men.
  
* [[Allies]] for discussion of feminist men.

Revision as of 05:09, 7 July 2014

A lot of people want to support women in geek communities, but aren't sure where to start, or don't know whether what they're doing is wanted or appreciated.

The following resources offer suggestions for how allies (including men) can support women in geek communities.

Basic concepts of feminism and anti-sexism in general

Basic resources about women in geekdom (read these)

Ally skills

Men: things they can do, etc

Understanding privilege

Supporting women in geek communities

Other Resources

See also

  • Intersectionality for information on axes of oppression other than sexism and how they interact.
  • Feminism 101 for a non-gender specific overview of introductory material on this wiki.
  • Allies for discussion of feminist men.
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