[diversity] Feedback, including a piece of friendly and hopefully constructive criticism

On 22/10/2018 13:55, Gergana Petrova wrote:
> Basically it's is giving everybody men's cut, but telling women to be
> happy about it, since it's labelled "unisex". I don't see why RIPE NCC
> should only offer "unisex", especially given the diversity efforts we
> are making. The biology of men and women is different. Women have
> breasts, smaller waist, bigger hips. That's why unisex (aka men's cut)
> does not fit women well. I support Theresa's suggestion to offer two
> cuts. As for the labeling, I also support labeling them "fitted" and
> "loose" (rather than "mens" and "womens") or any other way, so people
> can make up their mind themselves.
> 
> In conclusion, I do not believe women should be happy with a staight
> cut, that doesn't fit their biology, simply because it is labelled
> "unisex". I think we should offer two cuts and lablel them in a
> gender-neutral way.
I certainly support having T-shirts with a cut intended to suit women's
body shapes, especially as women in our community have asked for them.

Regarding "fitted" and "unfitted", as it happens men's shirts are sold
using these descriptions. The "fitted" version doesn't suit my more
rotund body shape, as it is designed to flatter men with an athletic
figure. That being so, I very much doubt such a cut would suit women
with moderate or larger busts.

Now I understand that you are not proposing that the shirts labelled
fitted should actually be "men's fitted", but given the 80% male gender
balance, would female attendees (especially first time attendees)
necessarily realise that "fitted" was meant to be code for "intended to
accommodate female breasts"?

What you are proposing is that there be T-shirt with a cut intended to
suit a woman's body shape, but to hide that you are doing so by using
non-obvious terminology. Why would you do that?

What is wrong with openly displaying that we provide T-shirts for all
our community?

Kind Regards,

Malcolm.

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            Malcolm Hutty | tel: +44 20 7645 3523
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