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Also as a woman in tech (trans as well!) I'm uncomfortable with bringing people's employers into internet pissing matches. Its a nuclear option that seems like overkill, not unlike the whole Adria Richards fiasco. Seriously, people get bitchy at each other on the internet all the time. Calling someone a cunt is not the same as death threats or rape threats.

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Also firing, what appears to be, a low rung employee for such behavior seems extreme for name calling.

Instead of simply punishing, maybe some type of rehabilitation as a first step would be more appropriate (some type of therapy or sensitivity training)?

I agree with the idea of 'sensitivity training'. Sometimes empathy is only latent and needs to be showed the way to express itself. Harsh punishment is of no use in this.

As someone who has only just entered the `real world', I found it so incredibly odd that people's employers very often get involved in these internet dealings by firing someone because they use a sexist/racist/whatever-ist slur.

To people out there. If you are going to talk about somewhat controversial topics, the ``my opinions are my own'' you put on your twitter probably isn't enough protection.

Even if you don't indicate your employer explicitly on a social media profile, its not hard to track someone down via a personal website/LinkedIn, etc.

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