There’s a lot of discussion on UK Twitter right now about women’s safety in public spaces. And of course, I’ve been afraid to walk after dark, and sometimes even during the daytime, in most places that I’ve lived and visited.
It is also a feeling about being included. Nothing worse than going to a conference and all these little clusters are people are around chatting, and you are stuck knowing no-one. Joining a small group is already a way of just normalising everything.
All men are not threats just like all women probably don’t feel afraid. A lot does depend on whether you know a city or not. I as a man may not feel threatened but it can be because I don’t know a city and its dangers (does not mean I’m actually safe - just an accident waiting to happen). Even in my own city there are places I’m not going to after dark, and some places also not in the light.
A conference needs to be safe for everyone - I’d hate to think that men get left to their own risks just because they are all a threat. What is wrong about offering lifts from the airport to the venue for all speakers if they need it? What is wrong with placing some security / car watchers outside the venue for everyone?
It is also a feeling about being included. Nothing worse than going to a conference and all these little clusters are people are around chatting, and you are stuck knowing no-one. Joining a small group is already a way of just normalising everything.
All men are not threats just like all women probably don’t feel afraid. A lot does depend on whether you know a city or not. I as a man may not feel threatened but it can be because I don’t know a city and its dangers (does not mean I’m actually safe - just an accident waiting to happen). Even in my own city there are places I’m not going to after dark, and some places also not in the light.
A conference needs to be safe for everyone - I’d hate to think that men get left to their own risks just because they are all a threat. What is wrong about offering lifts from the airport to the venue for all speakers if they need it? What is wrong with placing some security / car watchers outside the venue for everyone?