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=== Reason Rally related incident involving David Silverman and Richard Dawkins ===

''See also:'' [[Feminist quotes about Richard Dawkins]]

After the [[Elevatorgate]] scandal, which initially involved [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Rebecca Watson]], there was a lot of additional acrimony among atheists.  Jacques Rousseau wrote in the ''Daily Maverick'': "Elevatorgate..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the [[Atheist Population|secular community]]. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2011-07-13-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-rip-my-soul Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul]</ref> See also: [[Atheist factions]]

Post-Elevatorgate more attention was given to [[atheist conferences]] and peoples behavior at atheist conferences among atheists.  For example, Post Elevatorgate, atheist conferences frequently have anti-sexual harassment policies.<ref>[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2013/01/03/thunderf00ts-inflammatory-video-of-misleading-personal-attacks-on-atheist-feminists-is-not-helpful/ Thunderf00t’s inflammatory video of misleading personal attacks on atheist feminists is not helpful] by [[Michael Nugent]] on January 3, 2013</ref> See also: [[Research on atheist conferences]]

However, the incident mentioned below reflects that prominent white men, still exert considerable influence within the atheist movement despite the fact that atheists tend to [[Atheism and politics|lean politically left]] and that the left purports to strongly support gender and racial diversity.
[[File:David Silverman.JPG|thumbnail|left|150px|[[David Silverman]] ]]
An article by Sarah posted at Skepchick about a conversation between [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[David Silverman]] (ex-president of the [[American Atheists]] organization), which took place during the planning phrase of the [[Reason Rally]]:
{{cquote|Richard was standing behind the podium, and he asked Dave something along the lines of, “What exactly is the Reason Rally?” Dave started explaining it, and as he did, someone who was waiting in the line outside opened the door to peek inside and we could all hear a lot of noise. I rushed up the aisle and made frantic “shut the door” gestures at the people peeking inside, and they did. As I walked the ten feet back, I couldn’t hear everything Dave was saying, but I heard the name “Rebecca Watson.” Richard suddenly had a very angry look on his face and I heard him almost shout, “No, absolutely not! If she’s going to be there, I won’t be there. I don’t want her speaking.” and then Dave immediately replied, “You’re absolutely right, we’ll take her off the roster. It’s done.” Richard huffed for a moment, Dave continued to placate him, and then he made the video.

I was crushed.<ref>[http://skepchick.org/2013/09/my-time-with-richard-dawkins-or-why-you-should-never-meet-your-idols/ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols)] by Sarah at [[Skepchick]], September 5, 2013</ref>}}