If a trans person told me someone is a TERF, or if a Black person told me someone is racist, I would believe them.

I wouldn't say, "Well, they're nice to me, so you're wrong!"

Of course they're nice to me! I'm cis and white!

There is a serious problem in the #infosec community

Ridiculing a marginalized person for having the courage to talk about racism, transphobia, ableism (hatred toward disabled people, yes it's a thing), Islamophobia, antisemitism, or having been raped is a very bad look...

It's not silly high school games for a marginalized person to warn people about someone's behaviour.

If you have empathy for marginalized people, you would understand that just existing in the world is a constant, dangerous battle...

There are some good people in #infosec who happen to be white, cisgender, heterosexual, abled men.

But the culture of infosec Twitter is dominated by white, cis, hetero, abled men. And aspects of it are like an obnoxious "boys club."

This frat club, Animal House mentality has been harmful to people in #infosec who are marginalized in any way.

It's not good. And I had to do a lot of blocking today. Very stressful...

We need people in this industry who believe people who speak out about marginalization.

If you are marginalized in this industry, I will believe you by default. Even if the bigot is my Twitter "friend."

Changing the culture of #infosec starts with ourselves, and listening to marginalized voices with an open mind.

For example, it's difficult for nondisabled people to believe that ableism is a thing...

"My child is autistic, and I think that person is great!"

No! Just as gay conversion "therapy" has been supposedly delivered with "love" (we're helping to make them straight and happy), ableism is often delivered with "love."

Abled people don't notice this...

There are so many wonderful people in this industry who I'm friends with.

But I blocked a lot of people recently who refuse to listen about ableism and think warning about it is a laughing matter.

Some of these people I thought were nice.

In my new role as a social media manager, I will do my best to make Startpage welcome and inclusive to all people.