5 ms·

This post is to clarify Mozilla’s official support of equality and inclusion for LGBT people, and to outline a series of actions we are taking to reaffirm this

by danhak 13y ago

This post is to clarify Mozilla’s official support of equality and inclusion for LGBT people, and to outline a series of actions we are taking to reaffirm this position. I read the whole post several times and did not find a single concrete action, let alone a series. On the other hand, I am aware of one concrete action undertaken by Brendan Eich that is directly counter to all the feel-good rhetoric spouted off by this post.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
thirsteh 13y ago
I imagine what remains of the Mozilla board are having many unscheduled meetings right now.
- MisterBastahrd 13y ago
  If the best candidate for the head leadership role of your company is a divisive figure because of documented bigotry, then the entire board has failed the rest of the company.
Spittie 13y ago
That's because there is no need for concrete actions. Mozilla as a foundation/corporation never discriminated anyone, and they already have guidelines that promote equality.
- thirsteh 13y ago
  And then there's the part where they made someone who is absolutely, positively against the concept of gay people having the same rights as everybody else the figurehead of the organization.
  - Spittie 13y ago
    I'm not saying that was a right move - But this is Brendan private view on the matter, which don't reflect the view of Mozilla, as stated by that post (and their guidelines). And Brendan already said that his private views won't get in the way of the views of Mozilla. I understand that some people want Brendan to step down from his position (and I'm going to guess he probably will soon-ish), but he was elected because he was considered the right guy for the job, and I don't see Mozilla firing him anytime soon, at least without giving him a chance.
    - thirsteh 13y ago
      I'm saying that, while that might fly as CTO or any other role of the organization, CEO is a role analagous to President. The personal views of the chief executive very much influence the entire organization, and therefore it should not be surprising that their personal life becomes part of their professional one.
      - tinalumfoil 13y ago
        Considering Gay Marriage and Programming are about as far away as 2 issues can get, I really doubt it will be a problem. They don't want to alienate anyone against gay marriage or anyone gay. Since this isn't possible because of how sensitive everyone is, they just chose the best person for the job.
      - azakai 13y ago
        Note the the Mozilla Corporation is controlled by the Mozilla Foundation. So the position of CEO of Mozilla is in fact under that of the chairperson of the foundation. If something is analogous to "president", it would be the latter one (held by Mitchell Baker), not the CEO.
        thirsteh 13y ago
        I would say the president of the foundation (/the board) is analogous to the electoral college :)
  - akerl_ 13y ago
    If Mozilla was working to develop marriage laws, this would be totally relevant. But they aren't. I believe in marriage equality. I think Brendan's support of Prop 8 shows a stunning error of belief, and if he were being given a position of power over marriage laws, I would be part of the picket line against his appointment. But I do not require that all people in the world share my opinions on all subjects. Holding differing opinions, even those that offend me, and acting in support of those opinions, is not a crime. If he uses his position at Mozilla to oppress, then we should fight that. But he's stated that is not his intention: in much the same way that I respect his right to hold an opinion, he has stated he intends to respect Mozilla's commitment to equality.
azakai 13y ago
I'm not sure what that part of the blogpost refers to, but one relevant act is mentioning and re-affirming the Mozilla code of conduct, as done here, which guarantees fair treatment for everyone. Another relevant act is http://lukasblakk.com/ascend-project-kickoff/ http://lukasblakk.com/ascend-project-kickoff/ a hacker school-type thing for LGBT and other underrepresented minorities in tech.
sb057 13y ago
https://brendaneich.com/2014/03/inclusiveness-at-mozilla/ https://brendaneich.com/2014/03/inclusiveness-at-mozilla/ I know some will be skeptical about this, and that words alone will not change anything. I can only ask for your support to have the time to “show, not tell”; and in the meantime express my sorrow at having caused pain.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]

by danhak 13y ago

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

thirsteh 13y ago

I imagine what remains of the Mozilla board are having many unscheduled meetings right now.

MisterBastahrd 13y ago
If the best candidate for the head leadership role of your company is a divisive figure because of documented bigotry, then the entire board has failed the rest of the company.

Spittie 13y ago

That's because there is no need for concrete actions. Mozilla as a foundation/corporation never discriminated anyone, and they already have guidelines that promote equality.

thirsteh 13y ago
And then there's the part where they made someone who is absolutely, positively against the concept of gay people having the same rights as everybody else the figurehead of the organization.
- Spittie 13y ago
  I'm not saying that was a right move - But this is Brendan private view on the matter, which don't reflect the view of Mozilla, as stated by that post (and their guidelines). And Brendan already said that his private views won't get in the way of the views of Mozilla. I understand that some people want Brendan to step down from his position (and I'm going to guess he probably will soon-ish), but he was elected because he was considered the right guy for the job, and I don't see Mozilla firing him anytime soon, at least without giving him a chance.
  - thirsteh 13y ago
    I'm saying that, while that might fly as CTO or any other role of the organization, CEO is a role analagous to President. The personal views of the chief executive very much influence the entire organization, and therefore it should not be surprising that their personal life becomes part of their professional one.
    - tinalumfoil 13y ago
      Considering Gay Marriage and Programming are about as far away as 2 issues can get, I really doubt it will be a problem. They don't want to alienate anyone against gay marriage or anyone gay. Since this isn't possible because of how sensitive everyone is, they just chose the best person for the job.
    - azakai 13y ago
      Note the the Mozilla Corporation is controlled by the Mozilla Foundation. So the position of CEO of Mozilla is in fact under that of the chairperson of the foundation. If something is analogous to "president", it would be the latter one (held by Mitchell Baker), not the CEO.
      - thirsteh 13y ago
        I would say the president of the foundation (/the board) is analogous to the electoral college :)
- akerl_ 13y ago
  If Mozilla was working to develop marriage laws, this would be totally relevant. But they aren't. I believe in marriage equality. I think Brendan's support of Prop 8 shows a stunning error of belief, and if he were being given a position of power over marriage laws, I would be part of the picket line against his appointment. But I do not require that all people in the world share my opinions on all subjects. Holding differing opinions, even those that offend me, and acting in support of those opinions, is not a crime. If he uses his position at Mozilla to oppress, then we should fight that. But he's stated that is not his intention: in much the same way that I respect his right to hold an opinion, he has stated he intends to respect Mozilla's commitment to equality.

azakai 13y ago

I'm not sure what that part of the blogpost refers to, but one relevant act is mentioning and re-affirming the Mozilla code of conduct, as done here, which guarantees fair treatment for everyone. Another relevant act is http://lukasblakk.com/ascend-project-kickoff/ http://lukasblakk.com/ascend-project-kickoff/ a hacker school-type thing for LGBT and other underrepresented minorities in tech.

sb057 13y ago

https://brendaneich.com/2014/03/inclusiveness-at-mozilla/ https://brendaneich.com/2014/03/inclusiveness-at-mozilla/ I know some will be skeptical about this, and that words alone will not change anything. I can only ask for your support to have the time to “show, not tell”; and in the meantime express my sorrow at having caused pain.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]