I've been surprised by the negative reaction to Brendan's promotion by some of my fellow supporters of marriage equality. Perhaps I take it too much for granted that Mozillians recognize the diversity of their community in every possible respect, including politically and religiously, and that the
only thing we share in common is our commitment to Mozilla's mission and the principles for participation.
Those principles are reflected in our
Community Participation Agreement, to which Brendan has always shown fealty (since long before it was formalized, in my 15-year experience with him), and which could not possibly be clearer about the welcoming nature of Mozilla to all constructive contributors.
I know that marriage equality has been a long, difficult, and painful battle, the kind that rubs nerves raw and makes it challenging to show any charity to its opponents. But they aren't all bigots, and I take Brendan at his
word and deed that he's as committed as I am to the community's inclusive ideals (and the organization's employment policies).
As Andrew Sullivan eloquently states in his recent blog post on
Religious Belief and Bigotry:
"Twenty years ago, I was confidently told by my leftist gay friends that Americans were all anti-gay bigots and would never, ever back marriage rights so I should stop trying to reason them out of their opposition. My friends were wrong. Americans are not all bigots. Not even close. They can be persuaded rather than attacked. And if we behave magnanimously and give maximal space for those who sincerely oppose us, then eventual persuasion will be more likely. And our victory more moral and more enduring."
I'm chastened to admit that I substantially shared his friends' opinion twenty years ago. But I'm happy to realize I was wrong. And perhaps Brendan will one day do the same. Either way, he qualifies to be a leader at any level in the Mozilla community (and organization), as do the many other Mozilla leaders whose beliefs undoubtedly differ sharply from my own.
http://mykzilla.blogspot.com/2014/03/qualifications-for-leadership.html
