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Richard Stallman Acknowledges Libreboot Is No Longer A Part of GNU (gnu.org)
Libreboot became an official GNU project in May. Now an anonymous Slashdot reader writes:
Richard Stallman has officially announced that Libreboot is no longer a GNU package. The maintainer of Libreboot had tried to leave the GNU project in September 2016, but the departure was not acknowledged until January 2017. Libreboot is a replacement for proprietary BIOS systems, effectively a distribution of coreboot without any binary blobs and adding an automated build/install process.
In the post titled "Goodbye to GNU Libreboot," Stallman wrote that "When a package's maintainer steps down, that doesn't by itself break the relationship between GNU and the package. If it is left without a maintainer but is still useful, the GNU Project will usually look for new maintainers to work on it. However, we can instead drop ties with the package, if that seems the right thing to do.
"A few months ago, the maintainer of GNU Libreboot decided not to work on Libreboot for the GNU Project any more. That was her decision to make. She also asserted that Libreboot was no longer a GNU package -- something she could not unilaterally do. The GNU Project had to decide what to do in regard to Libreboot. We have decided to go along with the former GNU maintainer's wishes in this case, for a combination of reasons: (1) it had not been a GNU package for very long, (2) she was the developer who had originally made it a GNU package, and (3) there were no major developers who wanted to continue developing Libreboot under GNU auspices."
In the post titled "Goodbye to GNU Libreboot," Stallman wrote that "When a package's maintainer steps down, that doesn't by itself break the relationship between GNU and the package. If it is left without a maintainer but is still useful, the GNU Project will usually look for new maintainers to work on it. However, we can instead drop ties with the package, if that seems the right thing to do.
"A few months ago, the maintainer of GNU Libreboot decided not to work on Libreboot for the GNU Project any more. That was her decision to make. She also asserted that Libreboot was no longer a GNU package -- something she could not unilaterally do. The GNU Project had to decide what to do in regard to Libreboot. We have decided to go along with the former GNU maintainer's wishes in this case, for a combination of reasons: (1) it had not been a GNU package for very long, (2) she was the developer who had originally made it a GNU package, and (3) there were no major developers who wanted to continue developing Libreboot under GNU auspices."
What happened
A transgender employee at the FSF was being bullied by a transphobic employee. When the transgender employee filed a complaint, they were fired because the complaint was seen as troublemaking. A transgender person standing up for their rights in the workplace was seen as hostile. A transgender person is someone whose internal gender identity (in their brain) is different to the one they were assigned at birth. This mismatch can cause many transgender people to become extremely depressed, even suicidal. Many who are like this seek to transition to their real gender, and in many places (including USA) are subject to harsh treatment. Many end up being homeless, even if they are highly skilled, because they are fired from their job as a result of discrimination, or they are not hired for the same reason. They also regularly face abandonment by family and friends, in addition to being turned down from housing opportunities by transphobic landlords who turn them away. Transgender people are among some of the most vulnerable people on earth, particularly trans women. Transgender people are more likely to commit suicide than almost any other group of people, precisely because of how hostile the world is to trans people.
It didn't seem to even matter to them that the individual in question had worked hard for the FSF and been an extremely knowledgeable and reliable person for the organisation - and a huge supporter - for many years.
Leah Rowe, libreboot's main developer and founder, is a transgender woman herself, and several transgender people have contributed to the libreboot project. What the FSF has done is truly disgusting, so Libreboot voluntarily left the GNU project in protest. GNU is funded in large part by the Free Software Foundation. We will not name the person who was fired, for their privacy and safety.
The libreboot project will not stand by idly, while such an injustice is permitted to occur at the FSF. That's why libreboot has left the GNU project. We must not tolerate anything like this at the FSF, an organisation which has historically been extremely open to minorities and embracing of diversity generally.
The FSF lied, in response to libreboot's allegations
The FSF issued this public statement. They don't mention the issues being raised at all, while outright denying the allegations. This is to be expected, afterall. They then wish their former employee the best of luck.
The individual in question had donated countless hours to keep the FSF running, with years of expertise and absolute passion for the work. To the FSF, this didn't matter at all.
Consequences
The FSF ought to have a lawsuit on its hands. What they have done is actually illegal in Boston, MA, where they operate. Unfortunately, the individual who was discriminated against has decided to remain hidden, which is why they are not mentioned by name.
The following people should either resign and/or be fired from the FSF, to be replaced by other people:
John Sullivan - executive director - the one who fired the employee
Stephen Mahood - outreach and communication coordinator - the bully
Ruben Rodriguez - system administrator - leaked private emails to John Sullivan, which lead to the employee being fired.
Statement from Joshua Gay, former FSF employee
Joshua is not the trans person that was fired, but left the FSF shortly before the event occured. Joshua was the person at the FSF in charge of reviewing hardware for Respects Your Freedom hardware certification. Joshua was closely involved with other staff members at the FSF and witnessed what was going on
This is based on private IRC conversations with Joshua, during the incident.
Joshua, who also left the FSF, said it's unsettling that this was permitted to go on, having been aware of the disputes between the fired trans person and Stephen Mahood, the transphobic bully. He agreed with Leah that Stephen is transp
that it looks like the GNU has serious issues with bullying and harassment and RMS claiming credit and taking control of projects against the wishes of the ones who actually wrote the thing.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the RMS fanboys can mod me down all they want but while RMS was integral to the early days today he hurts free software more than he helps and the older he gets the more out of touch and radicalized he gets and the more of an embarrassment he becomes. If free software has to have a figurehead? Make it Torvalds or ESR, Stallman has sadly become the maladjusted stereotype that makes free software look like some Mickey Mouse idea run by nutters.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.