1/? nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s… @NASA has decided to celebrate #LGBTQSTEMDay by... let me check my notes here...
Deciding not to rename JWST for the flimsiest of reasons.
Deciding not to rename JWST for the flimsiest of reasons.
2/? Let's be clear here. We had evidence (and NASA includes evidence in this report) that James Webb was AWARE of homophobic practices at NASA.
So how does NASA justify not changing the name?
So how does NASA justify not changing the name?
3/? They have two main points of argument against changing the name.
The first is that James Webb did not directly carry out homophobic acts on his own. Or, as it is more commonly known, the superior orders argument.
He only ENFORCED homophobic practices. It's fiiiiine.
The first is that James Webb did not directly carry out homophobic acts on his own. Or, as it is more commonly known, the superior orders argument.
He only ENFORCED homophobic practices. It's fiiiiine.
4/? The second is that it was considered "unexceptional" at the time.
So, you know. It's okay because everyone hated the queers back then. Who cares that it was horrific and awful! Society was fine with it so it doesn't matter!
So, you know. It's okay because everyone hated the queers back then. Who cares that it was horrific and awful! Society was fine with it so it doesn't matter!
5/? Neither of these arguments is acceptable for a telescope like JWST — not when the arguments for KEEPING the name are "we don't want to change the paperwork."
Rubin LSST changed the name and we're fine. We even made a convoluted acronym for the survey to keep the letters!
Rubin LSST changed the name and we're fine. We even made a convoluted acronym for the survey to keep the letters!
6/? So my feelings on the fact that we need to #RenameJWST is pretty clear at this point. It's unacceptable that NASA chose this path.
But it is even more unacceptable that NASA is so blind to queer folk that they chose to release this on a day of pride for queer scientists.
But it is even more unacceptable that NASA is so blind to queer folk that they chose to release this on a day of pride for queer scientists.
7/? Why, why, why would your PR person ever decide that they need to enrage LGBTQ scientists by posting that you want to keep the name of a homophobe on #LGBTQStemDay!?
I could see an argument for incompetency. I think that is too kind.
I could see an argument for incompetency. I think that is too kind.
8/? The fact that they CHOSE to do it today means either one of two options:
a) malice toward LGBTQ folk
b) ignorance of LGBTQ folk
And given that this is a dear issue to LGBTQ folk, it looks awfully like the first.
a) malice toward LGBTQ folk
b) ignorance of LGBTQ folk
And given that this is a dear issue to LGBTQ folk, it looks awfully like the first.
9/? At the very least, intentional ignorance. But I think that is clear from the FOIA drops from earlier in this entire saga.
10/? @NASA admins...
Fix your hearts.
Because you have yet to give a real argument for why KEEPING the name is important, but you're bending over backward to forgive a homophobic administrator so you can keep the name.
Fix your hearts.
Because you have yet to give a real argument for why KEEPING the name is important, but you're bending over backward to forgive a homophobic administrator so you can keep the name.
11/11 LGBTQ astronomers should not have to grow up thinking of how many times they're going to have to cite a homophobe in their works.
They should know that they are loved and respected and honored.
They should know that they are loved and respected and honored.
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