Congratulations to the new promotions -
Pirate Bae and
Sophia - it's nice to see trans representation grow and I've no doubts you both will be working to better our, and the wider, community. I look forward to the upcoming discussion between staff and members of TransEra to understand what some of that might look like.
- - - - - -
To a broader point - I don't want this to come at the expense of representation elsewhere, as others have said. It's important that black representation within the mod space isn't diminished, being a minority on the forum that has long-felt the issues recently brought to the fore. Recommendations for me are heartwarming but that is where the thought should lie. Many non-trans members of the BAME community gave their support to get us here, and though there are very specific conversations to be had between trans members and the staff, the same opportunity should be afforded for other minority groups that have long-since felt the same sentiment.
Immediate communications and actions have been good (though moderators need to address Brock unless I've missed a communication), I think recent posts have begun to show that topics like these can exist in the open. Can include moderators and members discussing issues without it inherently being threatening to either party. One of the earliest occasions of this was
Nepenthe stepping into a difficult situation and coming down to meet us where it hurt. Facing the tougher questions with patience and appreciation of the context in which they were asked. Her compassion helped a lot, and I think sustaining dialogue in this effect would continue to do so. Naturally this is not a blanket suggestion, it does not apply to all issues, but I think bringing it this way a bit would work wonders. I appreciate the concern around bad-faith actors using such things as a springboard, which is why it is a tempered suggestion. I just think that this has highlighted that there are certain situations where a little more tolerance is warranted to foster less of an perceived divide between staff and members.