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Farewell and Welcome Home Python in Two Genders Naomi Ceder

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Disclaimer: The opinions and life described are my own. I make no other warranties, either expressed or implied

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It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist. ~Laverne Cox

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When I was born in a small town in Nebraska the doctor declared, “it’s a boy!” He was wrong.

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I was transgender sometime before I was born my brain chemistry/structure had been set to female

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I didn't really understand at first, but eventually I learned about transsexuals... I decided that I could not let this be me...

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(we will never, ever speak of this image again) I struggled to fit in as boy, so I was a geeky kid I made telescopes that was very odd… but acceptable

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Many years passed... I discovered Open Source Software I started a LUG I learned Python (we will never speak of this image again, either)

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I became involved in the Python community teaching speaking writing organizing

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Life was good... But I was still transgender

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It was with me every hour of every day. I came to think that death was my only way out... but I wasn’t dying fast enough.

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The only other option… was to embrace my truth and transition

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But transition meant giving up the community, the talks, PyCon, and the rest that made me sad but I had to move forward

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Then I started to think... how could I stay in the community? what if I transitioned openly?

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There were codes of conduct people seemed supportive I decided to take the chance to transition as openly as possible

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I spoke, I taught, I went to PyCon… and it was all good

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the summit went well people were supportive the more open I was, the easier it was (for others as well as myself) The community’s commitment to diversity is real

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So everything’s rainbows and unicorns, right?

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Well... I don’t think we get a cookie...

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I am (almost always) the only (openly) trans person in the room I am not “real” I have become a thing, a curiosity People are sometimes embarrassed to be seen with me I have lost friends, family, a career

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My life, my experiences, my emotions are often the punchline of a joke Most states won’t protect my right to work, enter a store, go to the bathroom, or get medical care I’m much more likely to be beaten up… or worse

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This is the price I pay to be who I am. I wouldn’t change if I could.

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I have seen things others haven’t as both male and female, as both privileged and marginalized.

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I’ve come to know other women in tech scary smart women women who aren't always recognized women who don't always feel welcome women who don't always feel safe I was a newcomer in a world I thought I knew

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I am now often the only woman in the room I am now “invisible” I am now ALWAYS judged by my appearance I can no longer assume personal security Double standards are now the norm: as a woman I’m simultaneously “too nice” and “unapproachable”

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I’ve learned what it means to be marginalized.

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If you're marginalized... Accommodations for you are “special” and “extra” You're never quite sure you’re welcome

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If you object to (or even just report) something, you are: “angry” and hurting “your own cause” “bullying” or starting a “witch hunt” “asking for it”

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In the business world there is a “business case” for diversity: diverse groups solve problems better skilled team members are precious

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In the open source (and Python) community shouldn’t the same business case hold? Doesn’t “Open” imply inclusion and diversity?

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So what do “we” want/need? Understand that everyone’s different Listen Codes of Conduct matter Outreach matters Allies matter Safe spaces matter

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“Open”, “Fair”, and “Inclusive” should be true for everyone

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Thank you [email protected] @NaomiCeder http://learnpython.wordpress.com http://whataboutnaomi.blogspot.com (and please buy my book - http://manning.com/ceder)