But overall, I think that there’s a need for groups that aren’t so specific. I wouldn’t join LinuxChix not just because I’m not a chick, but also because I don’t use Linux (I caught the Mac bug well before Linux existed). That’s one of the reasons I helped start the Wise-Women mailing lists.

Does this mean we shouldn’t use loaded terms like Chix or Girl? Fact is most things gendered female will be valued less in our language/culture. I think especially where we want to encourage girls to feel ok about doing or trying ‘boy’ stuff like tech, using works like Chix and Girl Geeks can be powerful. Reclaim, reclaim.

It is worrying when women say that names like LinuxChix or Girl Geeks either turn them off or make them assume the group is for teens. Good to know, but not sure yet how to address this. I like the idea of Geek Crones. :)

Sarah

I’m older than most of the women I run into in the tech biz, and my personal take is, if a group’s name includes “girl,” “grrrl,” “chick,” “chix,” “babe,” or similar—I’m not invited. I don’t have an issue with it; I just look at it as I would, say, a group by/for Asian-American women in tech: I’m sure they’ve got issues they want to discuss with each other, and I wouldn’t have anything to contribute.

However, if you try to use one of those words about me, I’ll object. I’ve never been a chick or a babe in my entire life, and I haven’t been a girl for several decades now. My usual line is that you should try asking an African-American man over 50 how he would feel being called “boy”—his response should give you some idea how I feel being called “girl.”

Now, if you have a group with one of those words in its name, and you do want women born before 1965 to feel welcome, you might reconsider. Why have a name that drives off members you want?

The comment I riffed this post off came from someone pretty peripheral to the community as far as I can tell. (That’s used as an excuse far too often, but since you specifically asked I figure it’s relevant.)