Abstract: *AMA means Ask Me Anything.*
The topic of diversity has exploded in the tech industry, but it's left many questions in its wake. There are new acronyms to learn - what do the A's mean again in LGBTQAA+? People you've known for years are asking you to use the pronoun They: has their gender identity changed or are they being political? Some women are just realizing that they've been affected by systemic bias, while others have suffered from harassment and assault at conferences.
I'll tell you my story. My 13-year career in tech has, through some unknown grace, been spent vocally out of the closet. I've worked on three continents, in start ups and Fortune 100 companies alike, and without fail, a colleague (or boss!) has shyly approached me in confidence with an awkward question they just didn't have anyone else to ask.
The close collaboration of agile teams can intensify the need to know the answers to these questions. Rather than corner a coworker at the bar, come ask me.
**Session ground rules**
In this session, well-meaning but clueless-feeling person, you'll get to ask your questions without getting in trouble.
* Chatham House Rules: what happens in session, stays in session.
* Any question is ok, if it comes from a desire to understand.
* It's ok to briefly expose your biases and your ideas, as long as it's to clarify your question.
* No playing Devil's Advocate, and no debating.
Feeling pretty comfortable with your knowledge on the subject? Come listen to what those around you have been wondering in silence and consider how you may, if you choose, be a better ally.
Learning Outcomes: - In an AMA, the learning outcomes can be quite surprising.
- If people listen and find the part of the session where I share my story compelling, they will learn about
- - sexual identity in the workplace, or, when I had to tell a teammate who liked making casual gay jokes that I had a girlfriend in a pairing session
- - the intersection of gender and sexual identity, or, how being out as a lesbian ended up with me being just one of the boys (mostly)
- - respectful vocabulary to use with LGBT++ colleagues
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