Fair enough, i'ts just that in my 20 years in Software, I haven't encountered any such prejudice, nor have I witnessed any need to provide above any beyond for sexual orientation needs.
"it's a reality and it's in front of everyone's eyes"
Is it? ....
I've worked in Ireland, and now the past 16 years in Finland in tech (software), so perhaps the situation is different here? This is including the fact that many of my colleagues were from LGBT+ community, yet never did any of them feel that this should be any bearing on thier work, nor that others expected any more or less of them, to ask someones sexual oritentation in interviews for example, is illegal here in Finland.
As for Women, it's true there is generally less in Software, but I cannot comment on the reasons for this, as I dont recruit, though statistcs clearly show that fewer women choose Software as a career, but again, I cannot say why this is.
There is however, a visibly increasing number of female software engineers in Finland, we have 4 out of a team of 17 people which is certainly better than previous years, but again, I cannot comment or speculate on why, but this is a different issue than LGBT+ is it not?
Of course, if there are problems, if anyone is prejudiced, bullied or abused at work then they should speak up, it is not an acceptable practice, but I remain skeptical as to the actual need to differentiate and cater for different groups in Tech, based on sexual orientation or identity, as is the way based on race, for me the best environment is an equal one.
I do feel that there are those that attempt to use such identities as a privilage, or demand differential treatment, and to me this is not particulalry conducive to a working environment, and I am a supporter or not bringing particular politics and identity debates into the work environment, as a professional issue, as I mentioned, it is not the forum for such.
Most of us here,including myself, do not care what gender, race, sexual preference you are, its about what you being as a tech professional , and as a team member, not what you do elsewhere, it's not for myself or others to judge, nor is it relevant, to tech nor to us personally.
Thanks for your questions. First and foremost, my intention by posting here was to share resources for those who may need them and get some more pull requests - nothing more. I'm not an expert in diversity or anything to do with sociology; I'm an engineer. I can however give a bit of insight into my personal experiences with this topic.
The LGBTQ+ community is more than sexual orientation, and while treatment of the group as a whole (mostly in western countries) has improved, it's still not ideal. While it may not be visible to all, there are differences in how LGBTQ+ employees and team members are treated, just like there are differences to how women, people of colour, and other groups are treated. I've found it can sometimes be difficult to see these experiences without living through them first hand.
A lot of us just want the freedom to bring our authentic selves to work. While it may seem silly to create separate groups and resources for different groups of people in tech, we all experience tech differently based on our life experiences. In the same way I want to attend a python meetup to talk about python, sometimes I want to attend a LGBTQ+ in tech meetup to talk about our shared experiences and learn from others.
Of course, my experiences are so vastly different from others in the community. Someone's experience will vary based on company, location, industry, groups within the LGBTQ+ community, etc.
I don't think any of us are looking for specialized treatment in the workplace. We're just looking to feel more or less normal.
Thank you for the reply. I do appreciate your perspective, and for you this obviosuly is a pressing need in your experience, and I certainly hold no issue to that. The crux of my point here, was based on a slight curiosity as to why and perhaps, even more what constitutes a tech resource for a member of the LGBT+ community? Perhaps a LGBT+ tech meetup? Though, if this is so, I refer to my original point about roles and equality in Tech, would such a meetup exclude non LGBT+ people also?
Obviosuly, if in your experience or areas, there is sufficient problems and abuse at regular tech events and meetups, that should warrant a separate more safe environment in which to hold such an event, then I fully understand this need, and do stand somewhat clearer. Additionally if this is the case, I do hope there would be action to bring such disgraceful events to the public light, there is no room for prejudice anywhere, particularly in tech.
Again, I thank you for your civil and open reply.
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Fair enough, i'ts just that in my 20 years in Software, I haven't encountered any such prejudice, nor have I witnessed any need to provide above any beyond for sexual orientation needs.
"it's a reality and it's in front of everyone's eyes"
Is it? ....
I've worked in Ireland, and now the past 16 years in Finland in tech (software), so perhaps the situation is different here? This is including the fact that many of my colleagues were from LGBT+ community, yet never did any of them feel that this should be any bearing on thier work, nor that others expected any more or less of them, to ask someones sexual oritentation in interviews for example, is illegal here in Finland.
As for Women, it's true there is generally less in Software, but I cannot comment on the reasons for this, as I dont recruit, though statistcs clearly show that fewer women choose Software as a career, but again, I cannot say why this is.
There is however, a visibly increasing number of female software engineers in Finland, we have 4 out of a team of 17 people which is certainly better than previous years, but again, I cannot comment or speculate on why, but this is a different issue than LGBT+ is it not?
Of course, if there are problems, if anyone is prejudiced, bullied or abused at work then they should speak up, it is not an acceptable practice, but I remain skeptical as to the actual need to differentiate and cater for different groups in Tech, based on sexual orientation or identity, as is the way based on race, for me the best environment is an equal one.
I do feel that there are those that attempt to use such identities as a privilage, or demand differential treatment, and to me this is not particulalry conducive to a working environment, and I am a supporter or not bringing particular politics and identity debates into the work environment, as a professional issue, as I mentioned, it is not the forum for such.
Most of us here,including myself, do not care what gender, race, sexual preference you are, its about what you being as a tech professional , and as a team member, not what you do elsewhere, it's not for myself or others to judge, nor is it relevant, to tech nor to us personally.
Hey Stephen,
Thanks for your questions. First and foremost, my intention by posting here was to share resources for those who may need them and get some more pull requests - nothing more. I'm not an expert in diversity or anything to do with sociology; I'm an engineer. I can however give a bit of insight into my personal experiences with this topic.
The LGBTQ+ community is more than sexual orientation, and while treatment of the group as a whole (mostly in western countries) has improved, it's still not ideal. While it may not be visible to all, there are differences in how LGBTQ+ employees and team members are treated, just like there are differences to how women, people of colour, and other groups are treated. I've found it can sometimes be difficult to see these experiences without living through them first hand.
A lot of us just want the freedom to bring our authentic selves to work. While it may seem silly to create separate groups and resources for different groups of people in tech, we all experience tech differently based on our life experiences. In the same way I want to attend a python meetup to talk about python, sometimes I want to attend a LGBTQ+ in tech meetup to talk about our shared experiences and learn from others.
Of course, my experiences are so vastly different from others in the community. Someone's experience will vary based on company, location, industry, groups within the LGBTQ+ community, etc.
I don't think any of us are looking for specialized treatment in the workplace. We're just looking to feel more or less normal.
Thank you for the reply. I do appreciate your perspective, and for you this obviosuly is a pressing need in your experience, and I certainly hold no issue to that. The crux of my point here, was based on a slight curiosity as to why and perhaps, even more what constitutes a tech resource for a member of the LGBT+ community? Perhaps a LGBT+ tech meetup? Though, if this is so, I refer to my original point about roles and equality in Tech, would such a meetup exclude non LGBT+ people also?
Obviosuly, if in your experience or areas, there is sufficient problems and abuse at regular tech events and meetups, that should warrant a separate more safe environment in which to hold such an event, then I fully understand this need, and do stand somewhat clearer. Additionally if this is the case, I do hope there would be action to bring such disgraceful events to the public light, there is no room for prejudice anywhere, particularly in tech.
Again, I thank you for your civil and open reply.