PAX West League of Legends room closed to men before 2.30

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/community/community-events/riot-pax-west

Posted by a Rioter in the comments:

"The first two events of room 613 will be only open to women and nonbinary folks.(there might be some exceptions. I will try and post on Twitter the sechedule everyday) However, all the activities of the room will be open to all after 3pm, including the "Ask a Rito" time. :D"

https://www.reddit.com/r/leagueofle..._only_be_available/?utm_source=reddit-android

Considering how badly Riot fucked up recently with the multiple articles about a very unprofessional working environment, you'd think they would learn better than to pull something like this.

wwm0nkey · Sep 1, 2018

Riot... What are you doing?

Blizz · Sep 1, 2018

This is definitely not the way to fix what's been happening, bad move by Riot.

Einbroch · Sep 1, 2018

How is this bad?

We have had women-only festivals and events. A safe place for women to interact with Riot sounds like a good thing?

AnonymousApple · Sep 1, 2018

Doesn't actually solve their problem. If anything, it makes it slightly worse.

EDIT: I'm not a sexist, I just feel as if excluding men from events does nothing to fix the issue with gender equality.

Lant_War · Sep 1, 2018

+ Hey some of our ex-employees have been revealing to the public our terrible work condi-

- Oh, I know, ban men until a certain hour in an event! That totally fixes the problem.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

Einbroch said:
How is this bad?

We have had women-only festivals and events. A safe place for women to interact with Riot sounds like a good thing?

What? You can't see the issue with excluding people from an event based on gender/gender identity? It's called discrimination.

benzopil · Sep 1, 2018

Einbroch said:
How is this bad?

We have had women-only festivals and events. A safe place for women to interact with Riot sounds like a good thing?

Because for whatever reason men are missing presentations like:

Art + Champions/Skins Design

How to be a Producer

Narrative Writing

Production Careers

Game Design

Advanced Cosplay

Kenzodielocke · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
What? You can't see the issue with excluding people from an event based on gender/gender identity? It's called discrimination.

But it's not. Do they lose permanent access? Women days in swimming baths and saunas are a thing.

Deleted member 9035 · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
What? You can't see the issue with excluding people from an event based on gender/gender identity? It's called discrimination.

They're not being excluded. There's just a dedicated timeslot that's for women only.

On its own that seems like something worth trying.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

Kenzodielocke said:
But it's not. Do they lose permanent access? Women days in swimming baths and saunas are a thing.

Why should men be excluded from talks they want to be a part of and paid the same entry fee for?

inner-G · Sep 1, 2018

Kenzodielocke said:
But it's not. Do they lose permanent access? Women days in swimming baths and saunas are a thing.

Did you see the post above yours?

Blizz · Sep 1, 2018

Kenzodielocke said:
But it's not. Do they lose permanent access? Women days in swimming baths and saunas are a thing.

They lose access to many different presentations which aren't going to be repeated as far as I know.

Einbroch · Sep 1, 2018

It should have been communicated much better and ahead of time, but the idea is a fine one.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

efyu_lemonardo said:
They're not being excluded. There's just a dedicated timeslot that's for women only.

On its own that seems like something worth trying.

They're being excluded from the talks that are going on in that time period, which may be of relevance and interest to people who (entirely irrelevantly) identify as male.

Hamchan · Sep 1, 2018

benzopil said:
Because for whatever reason men are missing presentations like:

Art + Champions/Skins Design

How to be a Producer

Narrative Writing

Production Careers

Game Design

Advanced Cosplay

Damn some of those sound like some interesting talks that I would hate to get excluded from if I were there.

DarkFlame92 · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
What? You can't see the issue with excluding people from an event based on gender/gender identity? It's called discrimination.

I can't even understand how some people don't realise this.Seriously,what's up with the world today?

Deleted member 9035 · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
They're being excluded from the talks that are going on in that time period, which may be of relevance and interest to people who (entirely irrelevantly) identify as male.

Are the talks not recorded and uploaded somewhere?
If not people could ask for them to be.
Honestly I don't see this as anything worth getting upset about.

Kenzodielocke · Sep 1, 2018

inner-G said:
Did you see the post above yours?

Blizz said:
They lose access to many different presentations which aren't going to be repeated as far as I know.

I didn't read the post above mine before posting. They should offer the same to all people, but having a time only for women is something that's totally fine.

Damn Silly · Sep 1, 2018

I dunno, women and non-binary folk having a dedicated space and time to get some advice in how to break into a male-dominated industry from some of the people who've managed to seems fine to me?

Buzzman · Sep 1, 2018

Male gamers are inconvenienced? Fucking disgusting, burn it to the ground.

Obligatory /s,
I'm sure you can find actual statements to that effect on reddit.

SeeingeyeDug · Sep 1, 2018

efyu_lemonardo said:
Are the talks not recorded and uploaded somewhere?
If not people could ask for them to be.
Honestly I don't see this as anything worth getting upset about.

So if you paid money for an event, you would be ok with getting told to go find those conferences on YouTube?

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

Just also going to point out that surely anyone who identifies as male and wants to access these talks could also just claim they identify as non-binary and attend the talk anyway? I'm not sure how this rule is in any way enforceable so all this will do is cause controversy, not something that Riot needs at the moment.

Deleted member 5167 · Sep 1, 2018

Riot games said:
Right next door in Room 613 we're hosting a variety of sessions to support women and non-binary folks who are interested in getting into games professionally. Stop by to learn from and get to know some of the badass women of Riot!

Gamers said:
But I'm a man! Why can't I get support for women and non-binary folks???

...okay?

inner-G · Sep 1, 2018

Damn Silly said:
I dunno, women and non-binary folk having a dedicated space and time to get some advice in how to break into a male-dominated industry from some of the people who've managed to seems fine to me?

Ok, but should they do that at an event where people of all sexes paid to go, and announce it this late? Sounds like it would be a good event to market specifically toward women, instead of deciding to make your thing women-only after you invited everyone.

Dr Wily said:
...okay?

If it's in a separate room and everyone can watch the presentations that's different, but that's not what it sounds like from their statement.

Deleted member 9035 · Sep 1, 2018

SeeingeyeDug said:
So if you paid money for an event, you would be ok with getting told to go find those conferences on YouTube?

If people paid for those talks then yes I agree with you. They should move them to another time or give them twice.

Deleted member 1248 · Sep 1, 2018

Why sexism is rife in Silicon Valley

What is Brotopia?
It's this idea that Silicon Valley is a modern utopia where anyone can change the world or make their own rules, if they are a man. But if you are a woman it is incomparably harder. And that shows in the numbers. Women-led companies get just 2% of venture capital funding. That is egregious, especially in an industry that prides itself on being a meritocracy where anyone can succeed. We need people of all backgrounds to be making these products, because people everywhere are using them.

How did men come to rule in Silicon Valley? You say it hasn't always been like this.
Women were programming computers in the early days of the military and Nasa. Then, as the industry started to explode, these personality tests were developed to identify people who could be good at this job. And it was decided, though there is no evidence to support the idea, that good programmers "don't like people". Well, the research tells us if you hire people who don't like people, you hire far more men than women. These tests perpetuated the stereotype of the antisocial, mostly white, male nerds who many of us think of when we think of computer programmers. That has also extended to entrepreneurs as well. Steve Jobs sort of proved a different kind of person could start an amazing company, but we created another stereotype of a swaggering, risk-taking bro instead, which also selected for men.

So what's Brotopia like for the women who do inhabit it?
They are frustrated and tired of being the only women in the room, day after day. They are doing this sort of second job that men don't have to do, which is prove that they deserve to be there. At the same time, they are fending off sexual advances because they are the only women in the room. The circumstances for female entrepreneurs are especially challenging. Most have not just one story to tell about bad behaviour or an unwanted advance, but several.

The boys can afford to sit some shit out once in a while.

Deleted member 5167 · Sep 1, 2018

inner-G said:
If it's in a separate room and everyone can watch the presentations that's different, but that's not what it sounds like from their statement.

What the statement by riot games says and what the reddit thread linked says are not saying the same thing

Rayne · Sep 1, 2018

Wait...reading the actual riot site uh...I don't see the issue? There's nothing about the room being restricted only that they're welcome to come in.

Damn Silly · Sep 1, 2018

inner-G said:
Ok, but should they do that at an event where people of all sexes paid to go, and announce it this late? Sounds like it would be a good event to market specifically toward women, instead of deciding to make your thing women-only after you invited everyone.

Could they have announced it sooner? Yeah, absolutely. But besides that, I don't get what the fuss is about at all. They're just having a specialised room, of which there are plenty at PAX.

Deleted member 20892 · Sep 1, 2018

Buzzman said:
Male gamers are inconvenienced? Fucking disgusting, burn it to the ground.

Obligatory /s,
I'm sure you can find actual statements to that effect on reddit.

oh no you don't want to actually read the reddit thread on this in the league subreddit *shudders*

ZugZug123 · Sep 1, 2018

Walked by the room yesterday and they we're almost grabbing people walking by to post positive messages to LGBT community on a wall by the room. It did not feel organic but very forced. Now I learn about this no man in the room for a portion of the day and yep, definitely forced.... Ugh.

Hamchan · Sep 1, 2018

Dr Wily said:
...okay?

Rayne said:
Wait...reading the actual riot site uh...I don't see the issue? There's nothing about the room being restricted only that they're welcome to come in.

Yeah now I'm confused. The OP and reddit thread seems to be light on details. Where did this PSA come from?

Rayne · Sep 1, 2018

Calvero said:
oh no you don't want to actually read the reddit thread on this in the league subreddit *shudders*

Yeah I popped in there and yikes.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

Rayne said:
Wait...reading the actual riot site uh...I don't see the issue? There's nothing about the room being restricted only that they're welcome to come in.

-43

The first two events of room 613 will be only open to women and nonbinary folks.(there might be some exceptions. I will try and post on Twitter the sechedule everyday) However, all the activities of the room will be open to all after 3pm, including the "Ask a Rito" time. :D

It's in the comments

Rayne · Sep 1, 2018

Hamchan said:
Yeah now I'm confused. The OP and reddit thread seems to be light on details. Where did this PSA come from?

It's in the OP. https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/community/community-events/riot-pax-west but the relevant bit seems to be

Right next door in Room 613 we're hosting a variety of sessions to support women and non-binary folks who are interested in getting into games professionally. Stop by to learn from and get to know some of the badass women of Riot! Tentative schedule below, but all subject to change—stop by the room Friday-Monday for a daily schedule.

Uh... that bit the redditor is so outraged about doesn't even seem to be in the source he linked so...not sure if I missed something or some one let outrage outpace reading.

Envelope · Sep 1, 2018

The manbaby reaction from Reddit only proves the need for these sorts of measures

Orayn · Sep 1, 2018

This is actually extremely good, OP.

Namyu · Sep 1, 2018

Buzzman said:
I'm sure you can find actual statements to that effect on reddit.

One of the first comments I read was "I'll just say I'm nonbinary and identify as a train" with over 100 upvotes

Euler · Sep 1, 2018

I don't see the issue with letting under represented people get a chance to learn more about getting into the game industry.

It's the least Riot can do along with improving their terrible toxic work place

Wamb0wneD · Sep 1, 2018

Kenzodielocke said:
But it's not. Do they lose permanent access? Women days in swimming baths and saunas are a thing.

To quote someone right above you:

benzopil said:
Because for whatever reason men are missing presentations like:

Art + Champions/Skins Design

How to be a Producer

Narrative Writing

Production Careers

Game Design

Advanced Cosplay

Thorn · Sep 1, 2018

A safe space is not a bad thing but excluding men from segments as shown in that post earlier they may want to watch is not the way to go about it.

If they can access those panels later that's not so bad.

SieteBlanco · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
What? You can't see the issue with excluding people from an event based on gender/gender identity? It's called discrimination.

It's called affirmative action.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

Rayne said:
It's in the OP. https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/community/community-events/riot-pax-west but the relevant bit seems to be

Uh... that bit the redditor is so outraged about doesn't even seem to be in the source he linked so...not sure if I missed something or some one let outrage outpace reading.

Updated the OP.

Rayne · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
-43

The first two events of room 613 will be only open to women and nonbinary folks.(there might be some exceptions. I will try and post on Twitter the sechedule everyday) However, all the activities of the room will be open to all after 3pm, including the "Ask a Rito" time. :D

It's in the comments

Is that a riot dev because the source they linked does not say that.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

SieteBlanco said:
It's called affirmative action.

It's wrong and it doesn't solve the issue at hand.

Orayn · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
It's wrong and it doesn't solve the issue at hand.

Wrong, it's extremely good and cool.

TheBazzalisk · Sep 1, 2018

Rayne said:
Is that a riot dev because the source they linked does not say that.

Yes, it's a riot dev. The comment has been downloaded pretty hard on their forums though so you will have to find and unhide it yourself.

Deleted member 20892 · Sep 1, 2018

oh wait it's bazza making this faux outrage thread ahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Rayne · Sep 1, 2018

TheBazzalisk said:
Yes, it's a riot dev. The comment has been downloaded pretty hard on their forums though so you will have to find and unhide it yourself.

And you can't link it because?

PAX West League of Legends room closed to men before 2.30

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