State of the Map 2024: Join us in Nairobi and online on 6-8 September 2024!

Here we are 4 months later, and basically no replies from the OpenStreetMap Foundation, the State of the Map Organising Committee, or the local organising team.

However, they have published their Code of Conduct, which at first looks like a decent CoC.

But now I’m confused. What’s going on? Is this conference actually going to be safe for LGBTQ+ people, as the CoC says, comparable to other SotMs? Or should LGBTQ* people stay away, or stay closeted? What about people who can’t easily hide themselves, e.g. non-passing trans people?

The US government says

The UK Government says

The Canadian government says

The German Government says

(“restrained behavior in public is strongly recommended. Homosexuality is largely taboo.”)

Local LGBTQ NGOs in Kenya say:

So what’s going on?

Can the SotM WG clarify what (if any) advice re: LGBTQ+ attendees they have received, or what advice they are giving to possible attendees?

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