Farewell and Welcome Home, Python in Two Genders by Naomi_Ceder

Transcript

1. Farewell and Welcome Home
   Python in Two Genders
   Naomi Ceder
   

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

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

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

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6. 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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7. (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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8. 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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9. I became involved in the Python community
   teaching
   speaking
   writing
   organizing
   

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10. Life was good...
    But I was still transgender
    

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

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

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

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

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17. 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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18. So everything’s rainbows and unicorns, right?
    

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

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20. 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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21. 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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22. This is the price I pay to be who I am.
    I wouldn’t change if I could.
    

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

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24. 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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25. 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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26. I’ve learned what it means
    to be marginalized.
    

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

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28. 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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29. 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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30. 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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31. 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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32. “Open”, “Fair”, and “Inclusive”
    should be true for
    everyone
    

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33. Thank you
    naomi.ceder@gmail.com
    @NaomiCeder
    http://learnpython.wordpress.com
    http://whataboutnaomi.blogspot.com
    (and please buy my book - http://manning.com/ceder)
    

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