[batista]

the issue is that the event effectively excluded women programmers- or at least made it clear that they weren't wanted.

OK, and that is an issue because?

Can't one just make an event with a SPECIFIC target audience in mind? Especially, if, hypocrisy aside, the audience was gonna be male populated anyway, even if a semi-naked Brad Pitt served drinks.

Perhaps if the flyer boasted "hot chicks and buff dudes serving you drinks" it might be a little more equal. Horrifying, but equal.

And when does that need for "equality" stop when planning a SPECIFIC event? Even if they did what you suggest, someone could come and say: "this event is terrible, it excludes gays by having hetero male and female servers, we also need hot gay guys serving drinks". And then lesbians.

[Cushman]

One can host whatever event one likes. One can market it however one likes. Similarly, one's funders can choose to withdraw their sponsorship if they feel they don't wish to support one's politics, and one's community can castigate one for enforcing damaging messages.

Hooray for freedom!