The Nexus of Privacy

On FediForum (and not just FediForum)

https://privacy.thenexus.today/not-just-fediforum/

A deep dive into @FediForum's last-minute cancellation and the potential opportunity going forward for a collective learning experience, catalyst for change, and perhaps an inflection point -- for FediForum and the broader ecosystem.

#FediForum #fediverse

Apr 15, 2025 at 3:00amWeb
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 15, 2025

On FediForum (and not just FediForum)

This article discusses ways FediForum and others can make progress and take advantage of these opportunities.

The overall framework I'm using is the "Four A's" (acknowledgment, apology, amends, action), which I first saw in Teh Portly Dyke's 2007 post How to Fuck Up. As well as applying the Four As to three specific items mentioned under "Issues of representation and inclusion" in the FediForum draft summary notes, I relate this to broader challenges – and potential learning – in the broader ecosystems. In an appendix, I also discuss challenges – and potential learning – in the broader ecosystems. See the attached table of contents.

It's very challenging to write about intersecting oppressions without stepping into any minefields, and it can also be hard to write about institutional problems without unintentionally making it seem like I'm criticizing individuals. So apologies in advance for any mistakes I've made, feedback welcome!

#FediForum #fediverse

On FediForum (and not just FediForum)

There really are a lot of opportunities here!

The Nexus Of Privacy
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 24, 2025
@fediforum I've updated https://privacy.thenexus.today/not-just-fediforum/ to include a brief discussion of the second listening session. Is this snippet accurate? And, do you have a timeframe for the notes?
On FediForum (and not just FediForum)

There really are a lot of opportunities here!

The Nexus Of Privacy
Show threadFediForumApr 24, 2025
@thenexusofprivacy Next couple days.
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 24, 2025
@fediforum thanks!
Show threadMallory KnodelApr 18, 2025
@thenexusofprivacy @jdp23 Would love for folks who went to #RightsCon to join the discussion. The conjecture about our panel is absolutely false on both counts: Meta was directly challenged and queer, specifically trans, community building on the fediverse was raised. Bringing that panel together at the biggest annual human rights event goes in the plus column, obviously.
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 18, 2025

Thanks! I'll update the post accordingly.

I asked somebody who was there, and they said that while Meta's presence on the panel was challenged, the FediPact wasn't mentioned, let alone the trans-driven nature of the FediPact (and broader trans resistance to Meta's existence in the Fediverse). Or did they just miss it?

@mallory @jdp23

Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 18, 2025

Also, was Meta directly challenged by somebody on the panel, or by an audience member? I heard about a question (or maybe more of a comment) from the audience, if there was also somebody on the panel I’ll mention that as well.

@mallory @jdp23

Show threadMallory KnodelApr 19, 2025

@thenexusofprivacy @jdp23 fedipact was not mentioned. Queer and trans issues broadly underpinning the outline of your post were.

My first question was to each panelist to describe the weakness of their platform. Meta was asked this question. They identified governance as well as other shortcomings.

I don’t pull punches as a moderator. I also don’t intentionally create drama by disrespecting people I invite to a live, platformed conversation.

Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 19, 2025

OK, thanks for the clarification. I’ll further edit accordingly and send you the updated version (probably sometime over the weekend)

@mallory @jdp23

Show threadScott M. StolzApr 25, 2025
@The Nexus of Privacy @FediForum The only way to effectively deal with conflicting interests and conflicts between diverse groups of people and diverse individuals is to have a set of rules that apply to everyone (on the server, at the event, part of the organization, etc.), regardless of what group or tribe they belong to.

Some examples: No harassment. Period. No death threats. Period. No offensive name calling. Period. No trolling. Period.

If you give people from your group or tribe a free pass to harass outsiders, then it just degrades to "we can harass you, but you can't harass us" which is unfair and toxic. It is also counterproductive, since it stirs up more conflict and causes resentment between groups and individuals. If you want to make things worse, only enforce the rules in one direction. This is where some of the "we don't feel welcome on the fediverse" comes from: rules being enforced only in one direction.

It does not matter if you are white, black, brown, LGB, trans, QIA+, purple, polka dotted, etc. People should not be harassing each other, and ideally platforms should prohibit harassment from everyone. That would leave a safe space for everyone, including blacks, trans, LGB, etc. because the people creating toxic posts are banned or blocked. And people, especially minorities, are more likely to speak freely if they are not going to be harassed.
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 25, 2025
@scott I agree about the importance of having (and enforcing) a code of conduct at an event, but am not sure what your response has to do with my post. I haven't heard any reports of harassment at FediForum; they do have a code of conduct, and as far as I know it's been enforced.
FediForum | Code of Conduct

FediForum
Show threadScott M. StolzApr 25, 2025
@The Nexus of Privacy Your post mentions "anti-black incidents and lack of follow up" and "underrepresentation of marginalized communities" via a screenshot, which is why I brought it up.
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Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 25, 2025

@scott got it, thanks. You're right, I should talk about the Code of Conduct in relationship to the the anti-black incidents. The ones I know of weren't at the event itself, and tbh I'm not even sure they violated the CoC, but it's certainly an interesting discussion. I'll add something about this next time I do a revision.

The underrepresentation is a somewhat different issue. Avoiding harassment and enforcing rules is necessary but not sufficient!

Show threadScott M. StolzApr 25, 2025
@The Nexus of Privacy
You're right, I should talk about the Code of Conduct in relationship to the the anti-black incidents. The ones I know of weren't at the event itself, and tbh I'm not even sure they violated the CoC, but it's certainly an interesting discussion. I'll add something about this next time I do a revision.
This definitely needs to be addressed. Inevitably we are going to encounter culture clashes, where different minorities and marginalized groups disagree on things. Minorities often contrast themselves against the majority, but the reality is the even the minorities disagree with each other on certain things.

Personally, I take inspiration from the Philippines. They are predominantly Catholic, but they don't force you to be Catholic. If you are LGB or trans, people just accept it as part of who you are without judgement and without looking down on you. Ladyboys, as they call themselves locally, are practically a cultural icon. Sure, any culture has its jerks, but they, as a culture, are much more accepting than most other cultures. I take inspiration from that.

If we want to reduce conflict and increase loves & acceptance, we have to think beyond our own cultural group or tribe. Otherwise we just stay in "us versus them" mode, which creates more conflict.
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 25, 2025

@scott I certainly agree on the importance of thinking beyond our own cultural group -- or race, or age range. As I discuss in the article, FediForum's issues on this front mirror broader issues in the fedivere and society as a whol.

As for the Philipines, according to the 2024 Philippines National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People

  • 3 in 4 (75%) LGBTQ+ young people in the Philipines have eriously considered suicide.

  • Nearly half (46%) have aempted suicide.

  • More than one in three (34%) aempted suicide in the past year.

This is far worse than the abysmal numbers in the US. So, what kind of message are you sending by saying that you take inspiration from this?

Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyApr 26, 2025

@scott agreed that trans and queer people generally feel more free to be themselves in larger cities (both in the Philipines than here) and that's a good thing. But as somebody who's lived in the Castro -- the queerest part of San Franciso, which is probably one of the queerest cities in the US and home to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- even in enclaves like that there's still plenty of discrimination, harassment, hate, etc.

And it's the same dynamic in the fediverse. There are plenty of trans- and queer-friendly instances and that's great, one of the real strengths and uniqueness of the fediverse. Then again, there's also plenty of hate and harassment out there, from anti-trans instances and people, defederation helps but isn't a complete solution. And (here as elsewhere) there are structural issues, such as the way that almost all of the resources and press attention goes to cis people, and very little to trans people.