FSF, RMS Issue Statements Over Libreboot's Accusations

Written by Michael Larabel in GNU on 17 September 2016 at 08:38 AM EDT. 118 Comments
GNU
Thursday night we wrote about Libreboot leaving the GNU and denouncing the GNU and FSF with rather harsh words. That thread generated more than 120 comments with differing views while now the Free Software Foundation issued a statement as well as Richard M Stallman.

Libreboot's accusations stem from a transgendered FSF (former) employee allegedly losing her job over being trans-gendered. This led the lead Libreboot developer to no longer want to be involved in the GNU and strong words about the FSF and GNU.

Richard Stallman commented Friday, "The dismissal of the staff person was not because of her gender. Her gender now is the same as it was when we hired her. It was not an issue then, and it is not an issue now."

Following RMS' comments, the Free Software Foundation issued an official statement on late Friday night. It regards in part by John Sullivan, the executive director, "while we understand that it is difficult whenever an employment relationship ends, the suggestion that the separation was a result of discriminatory animus is unfounded."

However, this hasn't lead to any reversal by Libreboot. Lead developer Leah Rowe commented after that, "they're lying...She was identified as a threat to the
FSF's internal stability and then she was fired. What should have happened is the people bullying her should have been fired." And then she proceeded to name the two FSF employees allegedly bullying the unnamed transgendered individual.

Rowe then added more fuel to the fire by stating that John Sullivan, the Free Software Foundation executive editor, should resign.

Leah Rowe or others siding with her so far (at least from all my mailings read) haven't provided any further physical proof to back their accusations against the FSF.

Update: Leah Rowe has contacted me to say that there's now this Libreboot.org page with their side: Leah is now calling not just for the resignation/firing of the executive director but also the two employees allegedly involved in this incident. She is also calling for a boycott on the FSF and more projects to leave the GNU. She is also seeking that the Free Software Foundation refund $6120 USD she has reportedly donated to them since last year.
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