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Comment by yummyfajitas | Hacker News Reader

In that case, the author of the article is also wrong. There are no public sex acts, so open source conferences are similarly not sexualized environments.

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A party isn't a sexualized environment unless there's some overtly-sexual influence. Similarly, open-source conferences are completely tame until the organizers hire strippers. And strippers are as "sexualized" as it gets (well, except for orgies or prostitutes).

Strippers are of course ridiculous to have at a conference. I can't even begin to imagine how anyone could think that it's a good idea.

However, read the proposed policy: http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/index.php?title=Conference_ant...

> We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference [without a refund] at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Sexual language is forbidden. I think we can agree that this too, is ridiculous.

I agree it sounds ridiculous, but now I am having a hard time thinking of an appropriate example of sexual language at a tech conference. These rules set clearly defined boundaries that even the most tactless, socially inept people can understand and abide by.

A joke perhaps? It is ridiculous also because the punishment is far too severe.

A sexual joke would be appropriate? Not IMO.

"Fuck I dropped my laptop" ?

"Fuck" as an exclamation is not sexual language. You could argue otherwise, but you'd just be being literal-minded.

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