1 of 1 Image of the technology event “Grace Hopper Celebration” Photo: Reproduction/AnitaB.org Image of the technology event “Grace Hopper Celebration” Photo: Reproduction/AnitaB.org
According to reports published in American and British media, a job fair for women and nonbinary people in the United States was “raided” by men.
The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing event took place at the end of September. In addition to lectures, there are also open positions for women who want to work in technology.
The fair took place in the city of Orlando, Florida.
According to Wired magazine, there was a large movement of men with resumes in hand at the event this year.
AnitaB.Org, the organization organizing the event, reported that the number of people identifying as men has increased. Since there are federal laws in the USA that prevent discrimination, they were allowed at the fair.
Cullen White, one of the organization’s directors, said in a video posted on social media that far fewer men were expected to take part. “Some of you (the public) lied when you registered. As is clear from the number of resumes you are handing out, you did this because you thought you could come here, take up space and get a job,” he said.
The director said that the men who did this were paying for discounted tickets that were limited and should have been aimed at women who really needed it. “I want to be clear: stop it, stop it now,” he said.