I thought of that, or even a straight up trans pride flag. But if there’s going to be a pin or lanyard symbol, it needs to be unified. Easy to spot. I don’t want it to be a struggle to identify a safe adult in a pinch, so I’d be worried about everyone bringing their own pin due to variations or confuse that could emerge. That’s why I wanted to coordinate with other coaches.
I do not know anything that’s going behind the closed doors, but equally I do not believe anyone does in this thread either. There may be more than just financial reasons as my statement is simply based upon a general understanding of business. But considering RECF is a non-profit there may be something besides cost that has importance to them. I feel like it isn’t a good idea to start blaming RECF or any company without any concrete understanding of what is truly going on. Otherwise I feel like it may be creating unnecessary chaos in a situation where the RECF may have already considered something at-hand, but we are yet to be aware of it.
I remember a previous thread that the RECF said that they have legal rights to enforce mask mandates, so considering that VEX Worlds is not just a state, but global event I feel like there is more federal influence and control at-hand. Likely, VEX Worlds may have its own separate structure and environment as compared to the surrounding vicinity.
Great ideas!
I like the pins that mlonsinger linked to. We’re not going to be at Worlds, but I would buy a few dozen of these and make them part of our standard uniform at every event we attend!
I appreciate your comment. My intention is not to blame the RECF. We’re all on a learning curve with these issues.
But let’s realize that Texas and other states are moving as fast as they can to enact anti-LGBTQ+ legislation; so we (the RECF and thousands of individual teams, coaches, and students) have to act even faster to oppose and thwart those efforts. I say, “get them (Texas’ Gov and AG) by the wallet and their hearts and minds will follow!”
It’s important to note here that most of the people at VEX Worlds are not from Texas. VEX Worlds is and has been for many years a place of unity and community for students (and mentors) from all over the world. Having the event in not the friendliest state doesn’t really affect the culture in the event. Just because it is in Texas does not mean that there will be Texans there that seek to discriminate. It’s unrealistic to think that everyone you ever meet will always be nice to you (it usually has nothing to do with you; they’re just having a rough day), but if you have some faith and let the odd remarks go in one ear and out the other, you’ll have a blast.
I think you are missing the point. I’m pretty sure Connor was saying that if a situation arises, we will all be there to help you. We are there for each other, and if someone needs help, I know that I (and many others) wouldn’t hesitate.
I have been to VEX Worlds in Kentucky, and not once did I see or hear about there ever being such an incident that seems to be the issue here. Additionally, I’ve gone to the FRC World Championship for several years now, which is located in Houston Texas. What I experienced at VEX Worlds still holds true for this event.
Although Texas itself may not be incredibly welcoming, I promise you that if you have a little faith, you will not be disappointed once you step inside VEX Worlds.
Not only will there be people there from many other cultures and walks of life, but I can assure you that you will not be the only trans-student there. If you look, you might be able to find someone else who feels the same way you do if that would make you feel more comfortable. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I personally have been to events where people who are much more subject to discrimination have had a great time and have received incredible support from other teams and people they’d never even met.
I want to end by saying that although it is ultimately your choice, if you don’t go, you’ll never know what it could’ve been. You’ll never know friends that you’d have never meet, experiences you’d have never had, and lessons you’d have never learned.
In case you are outside of the VEX Worlds “bubble” and enter the Texas environment:
I am in Texas, and I have to be honest… Most people in Texas (especially Houston) have an attitude, but this attitude is indiscriminatory. It’s purely a cultural thing to have an attitude in Texas, and for everything to move quickly (like 10-15 mph above the speed limit quickly). So if you feel random attitudes or aggressive tone from the norm, don’t assume that it’s because you or someone else is LGBTQIA+ as that’s likely not the case. There is aggressiveness in Texas and I won’t doubt it, but it will likely be for some petty reason like not pressing your gas after 0.0001 nanoseconds of a green light or driving in front of a car that was trying to speed up (horn honking, flipping off, etc).
It’s just the culture. Don’t take it seriously, and you’ll be fine.
ALSO!!!
If y’all haven’t yet, take some time to schedule a visit to the Johnson Space Center while you are at it. You won’t regret it. I heard there’s a Spacex rocket there now:
Thank you, friend. I have been to Worlds. It is indeed a wonderful event. That is not the point. The point is that for a trans or LGBTQ+ student or coach, Texas is not a safe state, right now. That does not mean anyone thinks they’re going to get beat up or harassed by the people at Worlds. It means that they are being asked to come to a place where they feel they are hated and where they cannot feel fully at ease in who they are. And, to add insult to injury, they are being asked to pay for that privilege! I am neither trans nor LGBTQ, but I don’t want to reward a state for electing people who preach hate and try to enact it into law.
No matter how I feel about Texas, or how much I love Worlds, I would not bring my group of students to a state where some of them have been harmed by the very highest representatives of that state. It’s not at all about what “might” happen at Worlds; it’s about what has already happened. The harm has been done.
I’m hopeful that the leadership of VEX and RECF know this, and can see how the hostile climate created by Governor Abbot and AG Paxton threatens their mission and their business. Schools are going to think twice about where they feel comfortable sending their students (and their dollars), whether it’s for robotics, football, mock trial, you name it!
RECF at least as student centered not for profit has a moral and ethical responsibility to issue a statement of inclusion, respect and human decency particularly focused towards the LBQT+ community, without doing so I will argue they have just undermined their Girl Power initiative as well. It is in-line with how we want students to compete, how we teach - I hope at least you all do - ethics in engineering.
Their silence at some point is an endorsement of a inhumane policy which already and even more so now is hurting students, adults a like.
As to VEX I would argue they should as well, as global citizen of the world and surely within ethical business practices………
We as adults can use this as a learning opportunity, talk to our teams, and make a moral human centered decision to not participate or participate clearly showing visual support for all of our fellow students.
I would not read in too deeply about silence. This was posted three days ago, on Friday which is busy time for all at RECF assisting in events and Champions. Dan is very good at responding in a considered manner to topics on VEXforum.com
Be patient.
3days is plenty on an important topic like this. A we are hearing you would have been already a good start……
Literally if we’re wanting to talk about silence, the RECF is the antithesis of silence. They are very active on VEXForum and they really do care about their community. Patience, as there’s a high probability we will be hearing a response from the RECF soon in this thread.
Just to parrot Lacsap and Connor RECF has been very, very good at getting back to people. How many other forums are you on that the CEO posts on a regular basis? It’s been three days, lets give them a chance to look at this and come up with a path. There are a lot of moving parts here. Thanks
I’m sorry what vex’s lack of a statement means just what it is: nothing it isn’t anti anything
the entire point of girl powered is not that girls can do engineering only if they are straight and born female is that anyone can do engineering but we have fewer girls i fail to see how the two are connected.
also is isn’t everyone’s job to single out minority’s and say they need special treatment my sister always told me the thing that made her the most mad interviewing was being asked what it was like to be a girl doing robotics.
its more rare for girls to be interested in engineering and so girl powered is to give a little push to young girls which i think is cool. watch vex’s video on girl powered Why Girl Powered? - YouTube it doesn’t mention anything about lgbtq so why should it undermine it as a matter a fact Why Girl Powered? - YouTube there it said somthing really important.
vex is for everyone with a brain we don’t need to call anyone out “make anyone feel safe” or think that robotics is any different of a experience for anyone.
vex is just heres the game 8 motors 2 tanks (not really) and fit 181818 now go and have fun
vex shouldn’t have to issue a statement to anyone about anything their not an ethics company they are a robotics company they facilitate robotics they don’t have any anti lgbtq statements and that should be enough.
vex is for everyone and they have never said otherwise.
Perhaps it’s against their religion (which we should all respect) to work on a Sunday (replying to forum posts).
In this case Texas has singled out a minority (transgender people) and said that giving them the medical treatment they need in order to feel comfortable in their own bodies is child abuse. And that puts anybody that falls into that category at risk if they go to the place VEX has decided to hold worlds.
VEX may be for everyone, but Texas clearly isn’t. And in the case of an oppressive status quo, silence is effectively a statement in favor of oppression.
EDIT: Also, just to be clear, I don’t expect them to make a statement quickly, obviously it’s the weekend, it takes time to address complicated issues like this, I get it. I’m just saying if they never addressed it, that would be silence that supports the oppressive status quo.
i keep trying to find the exact law but keep just getting people disagreeing with it but i just see the surgery being condemned not the actual act of being trans but i could be missing something
edit:can someone post the actual law?
also real mature whoever flaged
Why was this flagged? there is nothing inappropriate with this post?
There wasn’t necessarily a new law passed doing this, but merely a directive placing it under existing laws. The entire letter and directive can be found here.
Obviously, it is a little late to move worlds for this year, and no, the REC does not have any authority within the legislative branch, but they could still take the step of publicly condemning the directive now, and potentially looking for alternative locations for worlds in the future. I do think it’s important for the REC to make a statement, not to try and pressure the state into changing it, but to reassure everyone involved that the REC has the interests of everyone in mind.
Firstly, it’s “the act of being trans” in the same sense as I am currently performing “the act of being white” or “the act of having brown eyes.” It is not a choice or an action, it is simply… who they are.
And it’s not so much “being condemned” as it is “being declared child abuse in the same way that if you refuse to feed your child or if you beat your child it’s child abuse and should be reported to child protective services so they can… take your child away I assume?”
It’s somewhat interesting to draw parallels to how FIFA is responding to Russia’s act of war to the Texas Governor’s declaration (which amounts to an act of aggression). Many teams have signed declarations refusing to play in Russia or against Russian teams. While it’s not feasible for RECF to change World’s venue for this year, it would be heartening to hear RECF move quickly to place that does not condone such state-sponsored violence.
I’m sure the lawyers will be involved with any statement they would make. It might also be good for RECF to get those lawyers to also put clauses in future agreements with venues that would allow World’s to be pulled w/o financial loss if the venue (or state) supports policies contrary to the RECF’s Code of Conduct.