DC207's response to SecureMaine: allyship and cyber inclusivity

In our seas, DC207 shines against those exploiting cybersecurity communities and elevating hate. Our commitment to inclusivity is unwavering.

In the vast expanse of the digital world, akin to the unpredictable seas, there are beacons of light that guide ships to safety. For the cybersecurity community of Maine, DC207 has been one of those guiding beacons. Our mission has been about ensuring education and networking opportunities in the world of cybersecurity exist, and we have worked tirelessly to foster an environment of inclusivity and respect.

Recently, questions have emerged regarding DC207's involvement with SecureMaine. As the largest and most active information security networking group in the state, we have naturally been asked questions on whether we'd be there and how we'd be participating. To set the record straight: while we were approached for sponsorship and asked for advice on bringing DC207-like events to the conference without our involvement, we are not involved because we didn't pay to sponsor the event. Given the information available to us, our alignment has always been and will always be organized with values of inclusivity, especially in the face of repulsive hate speech and divisive religious organizations masquerading as "community centers", like The Point, which is the focus of why we cannot support this event. The organizers of SecureMaine have selected a religious organization known as 'The Point' as their partner in running this conference. The Point is a church with deep-seated beliefs that equate members of the LGBTQIA+ community to zoophiles and pedophiles. Such beliefs, rooted in discrimination and ignorance, are not just baseless but deeply dehumanizing and offensive.

While they realize publishing this kind of derogatory material is harmful to turning their church into a thriving enterprise, someone ought to introduce them to the concept of OSINT.

We could only bring ourselves to watch one of these videos where hate speech is employed against the trans, gay, and lesbian communities, and there are 400 more where that came from.

We want to be unequivocally clear: DC207 does not, and will not, endorse, sponsor, or maintain any relationship or partnership with entities that propagate such harmful beliefs. Our priority is the community. A community that thrives on diversity, mutual respect, and shared knowledge. A community that values each individual for their skills, knowledge, and contributions, and yes, their identities. Our diversity is our strength.

When bringing these concerns to SecureMaine, we noted they were quick to update their website with the following new statement:

SecureMaine is taking place in a publicly-available rental venue. The venue owner is a church. SecureMaine is working closely with the venue management to make sure that its other use as a church will not be expressed substantially within the space of the SecureMaine event. This has included the removal or obscuring of substantial non-secular material.

DC207's position is that claiming the ownership of the venue belonging to the church is misleading and disingenuous. The venue is a church, and efforts are being made to mask the public appearance of what truly is 'the point' of The Point. This is a great example of performative allyship, where an organization goes to lengths to literally obscure the hateful nature of what is being supported, saying they don't support it while forking over thousands of dollars in cash to groups marginalizing minorities. If SecureMaine were an ally, they would denounce this, but they don't, they don't want to ruffle feathers. DC207, however, does not mind ruffling the feathers of people who perpetuate an oppressive society. SecureMaine continues:

Government-allied and informational nonprofit institutions working with a wide variety of religious and community institutions is a common practice, in order to access regional facilities and populations, scaled appropriately to the event organizer's nonprofit resources. Renting this, or any, publicly available venue does not mean SecureMaine supports any social, political, religious, or workforce practices of the owner / operator of the venue. SecureMaine's Code of Conduct clearly states our own position.

SecureMaine is supporting the church, though. The church can continue to spread hate speech through the support of dollars. When you give money to SecureMaine, you're indirectly funding hate speech like the ones spread in the rooms the conference will be held in. Unfortunately, SecureMaine's code of conduct is boilerplate language put up hurriedly in an effort to get ahead of this controversy. If the organization had true core values, event venues like this would not have been considered and secured for this conference in the first place.

Every individual has autonomy over their financial and moral choices. However, it's vital to recognize the broader implications of these choices. Supporting events or venues that platform hate and discrimination directly perpetuates harmful ideologies. It's not just about where you put your money but also about what values and ideologies money amplifies.

At its heart, DC207 is a community-driven, non-commercial entity. We don't need to go and obscure ourselves for public viewing or make half-hearted excuses for how we fund hate speech, because we don't do that. Our mission is centered around fostering cybersecurity knowledge, building meaningful connections, and creating an inclusive and respectful environment. It's where we started, where we're going, and where we'll always be. Our journey does not cross with events that perpetuate hate.

At DC207, you can bring your whole self. We prioritize genuine inclusivity and respect without exceptions. We hope you will join us in taking a clear stand against any form of discrimination, ensuring that cybersecurity remains a field of shared knowledge, unity, and mutual respect.

-Marbaṩ