If the person contesting these Tuesday nights was involved in the organization then they would understand the priorities within it.

Keep on!

shannon

On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 10:42 PM, Plan B <nolabikeproject@gmail.com> wrote:

Rachael,

Your statement was succinct and amazing. I think it will be our standard answer from now on. Thanks so much.

Victor

rachael spiewak wrote:

This may also be a case where falling back on organizational policy or program that resolves to a mission statement can come in handy. Then you can depersonalize the issue for you and the other party...
"awesome community bike shop's mission is to maximize accessibility to cycling by providing affordable bike maintenance services and education. to achieve this mission, we provide a number of programs, including open shop hours and other specialized programs that support traditionally marginalized members of our community, including women and transpeople." The end, unless you want to encourage this person to come to organizational meetings if they really care that much. And then you can follow it up with agreeing that they should check in with ACLU if they need more information.

And then there are people who have nothing better to do than to harass community organizations. Along the lines of what Lars is saying, I don't think these folks are really up for being engaged about an issue. For your own sake and the sake of the organization, save your energy for what will make the biggest impact and keep your spirits up... helping the tons and tons people who do come to your shop and use it appropriately.

-rachael

On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 4:28 PM, Lars Peterson <lars@cpete.com <mailto:lars@cpete.com>> wrote:

Victor,

Plan B really is making a determination solely on the basis of
gender on Tuesday nights. Is that sexual discrimination?

I am a man, and if I showed up on Tuesday night I'd be turned
away. (Isn't that correct?) Probably I'd be asked to come back on
Thursday, Saturday, or Monday-- but for all of Tuesday I am not
welcome. Not because it's Hot as Hell or because there's no more
room or because the folks running the shop are too busy to help
me, but solely based on my gender. In this scenario, Plan B has
made a determination about whether or not they will serve me based
on gender alone. Thomas Taylor thinks that's sexual discrimination.

As for me, I am not interested in determining whether or not this
is "discrimination." I'm not judge or jury trying the case of
Thomas Taylor vs. Plan B, which is the only place the definition
of "discrimination" really means anything. Out here in the world
where we talk to one another and try to get things done, no one
can really say what "discrimination" is. Tom Taylor says you're
discriminating against him. Is that an argument you think you can
win? Or win friends by pursuing?

So probably the best thing to do is offer Mr. Taylor a good
explanation for why you reserve Tuesday night for women and
transgendered people. It can't hurt.

Lars Peterson
Baltimore, MD

On Jun 17, 2009, at 3:19 PM, Plan B wrote:

Hey y'all,

This is Victor at Plan B down in Hot as Hell New Orleans (the
new official name for the city). I just got this email, and
it's almost laughable, but I wanna deal with it in by using an
accountable and knowledgeable (and perhaps vicious) response.
I'd love some ideas. Here's the email, in it's entirety.

/While viewing your website, I have noted that tuesday nights
are exclusive to women and transexuals- I hope that you are
aware that as a non-profit this constitutes sexual
discrimination. If you do not cancel this event, I may refer
the situation to the ACLU.
Thank You,
Thomas Taylor

/My gut instinct is to be a jerk. My original response started
with the line, " Dear Big Dummy...."

I'm not the best at responding to jerks, so any help would be
appreciated.
Thanks y'all!

Overheated hugs and sweaty kisses,

Victor

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