I was in the room where it happened, because it happened to me. My name is Barbara Geller and I am one of the co-founders of the CopperSpice project. A horrifying incident happened on the last day of CppNow 2016 and this needs to be shared with the community. #cplusplus 1/
Dec 1, 2022 · 5:28 PM UTC
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Ansel and I completed a software contract and our main contact for the company was attending CppNow. On Friday night at the hotel bar this person approached me. The conversation started by asking us to consider working for free and then over just charge on the next contract. 2/
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I declined since lying on the next contract felt unethical. Then the conversation moved in a crazy direction. He let me know that in a discussion with co-workers at their office, they reached a conclusion. He said, “we understand Ansel and he makes sense, but you do not". 3/
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He went on to say that Ansel is "handsome" and told me he was "unsure why Ansel chose to marry Barbara". This man then looked directly at me and said, "We do not understand you and have been talking about you. We decided you aren't fuckable". 4/
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Since I did not react and just in case I did not hear him, he repeated "I don't know why Ansel is with you because you aren't fuckable". In shock and total disbelief I walked away from the conversation without responding to him. 5/
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I reported the incident to the top organizer (who was of course Jon Kalb) the following week after a local C++ meeting. He laughed and told me I had thick skin and should simply ignore it. I did as instructed because a man in power told me to. 6/
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Early this year I realized someone had to come forward and I posted a minor tweet directed at #cppnow. A respected person from the conference reached out the next day and a COC violation was submitted. A full investigation was conducted and my allegations have been upheld. 7/
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The Boost Board and CppNow decided to take action. The person who sexually harassed me has been prohibited from participating in CppNow in any capacity. This is public information and can be verified. 8/
docs.google.com/document/d/1zM…
docs.google.com/document/d/1zM…
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@copperspice_cpp :hugs: I'm glad that were able to share this finally. =[ And extra glad to see a conference doing the work and keeping its community safe.
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@chandlerc1024 Thank you for your support. It means a lot to be believed by leaders in the community. I am honored that C++Now was willing to take such a strong stand.
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@copperspice_cpp This is completely unacceptable. I attended the same event & had a good time there. It's shocking & sad that this kind of stuff happens there. We need to prevent this from happening again! What can I do to help?
Barbara, I am sorry this happened to you & thank you for sharing!
Barbara, I am sorry this happened to you & thank you for sharing!
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@timur_audio Sure, we were having a good time too. But talking about "having a good time" in the context of my sharing this harassment incident normalizes what transpired. Why is CppCon not willing to do anything? Use your position to work on that, please.
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@copperspice_cpp I am really sorry that you went through this. The C++ community must be purged of these kind of people, regardless of their technical knowledge or position. It takes a great deal of courage to speak about these kind of incidents, but be assured — you did the right thing.
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@mgilor Thank you for the support and encouragement. I want to see the changes happen and realized it had to start with my speaking up.
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@copperspice_cpp Sorry this happened to you. WTF is wrong with people?
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@alexr I think that is the question most of us are asking. You might have a disagreement about someone's work, but this crossed a line.
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@copperspice_cpp I'm sorry to hear this, Barbara. This is extremely unacceptable. Shouldn't people feel safe while attending such a professional technical conference? Is humanity dying? How could people even talk like this?
Thank you for having the gumption to share this. We'll be extra cautious
Thank you for having the gumption to share this. We'll be extra cautious
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@HSukesan Such powerful words. I know my repeating this story exposed others to unpleasantness. Sadly, this was the only way I could share the truth. Maybe as a group can keep humanity alive in our software communities.
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@copperspice_cpp What the heck? I'm sorry! Glad this got sorted out by now. You're wonderful!
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@ArvidGerstmann Thanks for the vote of confidence. C++Now has taken action. CppCon is unwilling to block this person from attending. Unclear if any other conference will follow suit.
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@copperspice_cpp That's really shit, sorry that happened to you.
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