The goal of this special session is to help attendees who are committed to diversity and inclusion learn to talk about different dimensions of identity (e.g., race, class, gender, sex, sexuality, etc.). Includes lightning talks and participant discussion, led by:

• Moderator: Cheryl A. Swanier, Claflin University. (Moderator)
• Jason T. Black, Florida A&M University. Topic: “Discussing Privilege, Racism, and Implicit Bias—from the Eyes of Black Men”
• Kamau Bobb, Georgia Tech. Topic: “Race Labels”
• April Browne, Butte College. Topic: “Family Friendly”
• Phillip T. Conrad, UC Santa Barbara. Topic: “Gender and Sexuality”
• Colleen Lewis, Harvey Mudd College. Topic: “Ability and Ableism”
• Sheila Tejada, University of Southern California. Topic: “Model Minority”

The goal of the session is to help attendees who are committed to diversity and inclusion learn to talk about different dimensions of identity (e.g., race, class, gender, sex, sexuality, etc.). The landscape of terms is always changing and we want SIGCSE attendees to feel more comfortable using current language to talk about issues related to diversity and inclusion. This special session will include six lightning talks, individual reflection, small-group discussion, and a Q&A with presenters. This is a reprise of a special session held at the NCWIT Summit in 2018; it was well received and we hope to offer it to the larger SIGCSE audience.

Gender and Sexuality

Are gender, sex and sexuality issues in the CS classroom? We address this with real-world stories. We discuss the benefits of sharing one’s pronouns (she/her/hers vs. he/him/his vs. they/them/their) and inviting students to share theirs. We identify four aspects of personal identify: sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, and invite attendees to discuss:

• “Someone left their umbrella; I hope they get it.” Is this sentence grammatically correct? What is your level of comfort with the singular they?
• We may ask students: “What are your preferred gender pronouns” or may simply ask “what are your pronouns”. Discuss: pros/cons, why it might matter.
• Which aspects of personal identity (sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation) are you the most (or least) comfortable discussing, and why?
• Cameron uses the pronouns “they/them/their.” Try using Cameron’s name and their pronouns in a sentence.

For more information:

• Entry for SIGCSE 2019, Session 8I on the SIGCSE 2019 program