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[[File:Richard Dawkins at the Reason Rally.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]
[[File:Richard Dawkins at the Reason Rally.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]
'''Elevatorgate''' is a term commonly used to describe a 2011 controversy involving [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]' comments made to atheist [[Rebecca Watson]] which are perceived to have been inappropriate by a sizable portion of the [[Atheism|atheist]] community and to the public at large.<ref>
'''Elevatorgate''' is a term commonly used to describe a 2011 controversy involving [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]' comments made to [[Atheism|atheist]] [[Rebecca Watson]] which are perceived to have been inappropriate by a sizable portion of the [[Atheism|atheist]] community and to the public at large.<ref>
*[https://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[https://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
</ref> Watson is a [[feminism|feminist]].<ref>Rebecca Watson (July 5, 2011). "[http://skepchick.org/2011/07/the-privilege-delusion The Privilege Delusion]". Skepchick</ref>
</ref> Watson is a [[feminism|feminist]].<ref>Rebecca Watson (July 5, 2011). "[http://skepchick.org/2011/07/the-privilege-delusion The Privilege Delusion]". Skepchick</ref>
Prior to Elevatorgate, [[Monica Shores]]' 2010 ''Ms. Magazine'' article titled ''Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women?'' criticized the News Atheism movement for being [[sexism|sexist]] (See also: [[Atheism and sexism]]).<ref name="msmagazine.com">[http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ ''Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women''] by Monica Shores, ''Ms. Magazine'', 2010</ref> Shores cited [[Conservapedia]] in her article and indicated: "The lack of lady presence is so visible that Conservapedia commented on it by noting that [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science website|Dawkins’ website]] overwhelmingly attracts male visitors."<ref>[http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ ''Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women''] by Monica Shores, ''Ms. Magazine''</ref> In addition, prior to Elevatorgate Conservapedia created is popular [[Richard Dawkins and women]] and [[Atheism and women]] articles which highlighted the ill-treatment of women by Dawkins and the wider [[atheist population]].
Prior to Elevatorgate, [[Monica Shores]]' 2010 ''Ms. Magazine'' article titled ''Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women?'' criticized the News Atheism movement for being [[sexism|sexist]] (See also: [[Atheism and sexism]]).<ref name="msmagazine.com">[http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ ''Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women''] by Monica Shores, ''Ms. Magazine'', 2010</ref> Shores cited [[Conservapedia]] in her article and indicated: "The lack of lady presence is so visible that Conservapedia commented on it by noting that [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science website|Dawkins’ website]] overwhelmingly attracts male visitors."<ref>[http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ ''Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women''] by Monica Shores, ''Ms. Magazine''</ref> See: [[Demographic makeup of web visitors to the website Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science]]
In addition, prior to Elevatorgate Conservapedia created is popular [[Richard Dawkins and women]] and [[Atheism and women]] articles which highlighted the ill-treatment of women by Dawkins and the wider [[atheist population]].
== Rebecca Watson's video about the elevator incident ==
== Rebecca Watson's video about the elevator incident ==
''See also:'' [[Sexual harassment at atheist conferences]]
''See also:'' [[Sexual harassment at atheist conferences]] and [[Atheism and women]] and [[YouTube atheism]]
On June 20, 2011, Rebecca Watson of [[Skepchick]] uploaded a YouTube video in which she complained about a man in an elevator asking her up to his room for coffee at an atheist conference in Dublin, Ireland.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKHwduG1Frk#t=376 About Mythbusters, Robot Eyes, Feminism, and Jokes]</ref> The incident occurred at around 4am in the morning.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKHwduG1Frk#t=376 About Mythbusters, Robot Eyes, Feminism, and Jokes]</ref> Watson was upset by this incident and subsequently blogged about it.
On June 20, 2011, Rebecca Watson of [[Skepchick]] uploaded a [[YouTube]] video in which she complained about a man in an elevator asking her up to his room for coffee at an atheist conference in Dublin, Ireland.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKHwduG1Frk#t=376 About Mythbusters, Robot Eyes, Feminism, and Jokes]</ref> The incident occurred at around 4am in the morning.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKHwduG1Frk#t=376 About Mythbusters, Robot Eyes, Feminism, and Jokes]</ref> Watson was upset by this incident and subsequently blogged about it.
Watson declared in her June 20, 2011 video:
Watson declared in her June 20, 2011 video:
=== Allegation that Rebecca Watson was behaving hypocritically ===
=== Allegation that Rebecca Watson was behaving hypocritically ===
[[File:Rebecca-watson.jpg|thumbnail|150px|Rebecca Watson]]
[[File:Rebecca-watson.jpg|thumbnail|150px|[[Rebecca Watson]]]]
Amanda Read wrote in the ''[[Washington Times]]'' that she believed Watson was behaving hypocritically and declared:
Amanda Read wrote in the ''[[Washington Times]]'' that she believed Watson was behaving hypocritically and declared:
The matter which appeared to spark the contention was how to properly deal with the significant amount of [[misogny]] within the atheist community (see: [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and rape]] and Elevatorgate and [[Women's views of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships|Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]]).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/07/01/thunderf00t-check-your-email/ Thunderf00t, check your email - PZ Myers]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuKH3trPpgY&list=UUmb8hO2ilV9vRa8cilis88A&index=1&feature=plcp Thunderf00t on how to handle misogny in the atheist community]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/thunderf00t/2012/07/01/skepchickcon-and-the-harassment-lol-icy/ SkepchickCON and the Harassment LOL-icy]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/thunderf00t/2012/06/29/is-it-freethoughtblogs-or-group-think-blogs/ Is it ‘Freethoughtblogs’ or ‘Group-think-blogs’?]</ref>
The matter which appeared to spark the contention was how to properly deal with the significant amount of [[misogny]] within the atheist community (see: [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and rape]] and Elevatorgate and [[Women's views of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships|Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]]).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/07/01/thunderf00t-check-your-email/ Thunderf00t, check your email - PZ Myers]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuKH3trPpgY&list=UUmb8hO2ilV9vRa8cilis88A&index=1&feature=plcp Thunderf00t on how to handle misogny in the atheist community]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/thunderf00t/2012/07/01/skepchickcon-and-the-harassment-lol-icy/ SkepchickCON and the Harassment LOL-icy]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/thunderf00t/2012/06/29/is-it-freethoughtblogs-or-group-think-blogs/ Is it ‘Freethoughtblogs’ or ‘Group-think-blogs’?]</ref>
Thunderf00t's removal from [[Freethought Blogs]] exemplified [[PZ Myers]]'s unwillingness to intellectually engage his opponents and his lack of integrity.<ref>[https://voxday.net/2012/07/06/free-fascistthoughtblogs/ FreeFascistThoughtBlogs]</ref>
=== Rebecca Watson response to Thunderf00t and his fans ===
=== Rebecca Watson response to Thunderf00t and his fans ===
[[File:Michael Nugent.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|[[Michael Nugent]] is an Irish atheist.]]
[[File:Michael Nugent.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|[[Michael Nugent]] is an Irish atheist.]]
Richard Dawkins is still widely criticized for igniting deep fractures in the atheist movement through his Elevatorgate controversy. For example, on November 26, 2013, the atheist activist and blogger [[Jen McCreight]] posted at Twitter the message: "Did anyone on Dawkins AMA ask how he feels about singlehandedly destroying the [[atheist movement]] with the Dear Muslima yet?"<ref>[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal]</ref> In December 2013, atheist Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution called July 2, 2011, which is the day that Elevatorgate occurred, "The day the atheist movement died."<ref>[http://www.atheistrev.com/2013/12/the-day-atheist-movement-died.html The Day the Atheist Movement Died] by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution</ref>
Richard Dawkins is still widely criticized for igniting deep fractures in the atheist movement through his Elevatorgate controversy. For example, on November 26, 2013, the atheist activist and blogger [[Jen McCreight]] posted at Twitter the message: "Did anyone on Dawkins AMA ask how he feels about singlehandedly destroying the [[atheist movement]] with the Dear Muslima yet?"<ref>[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal]</ref> In December 2013, atheist Jack Vance at the [[Atheist Revolution]] website called July 2, 2011, which is the day that Elevatorgate occurred, "The day the atheist movement died."<ref>[http://www.atheistrev.com/2013/12/the-day-atheist-movement-died.html The Day the Atheist Movement Died] by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution</ref>
=== Many secular leftists strongly criticizing Richard Dawkins post-Elevatorgate ===
=== Many secular leftists strongly criticizing Richard Dawkins post-Elevatorgate ===
On August 6, 2014, three years after Elevatorgate, without mentioning Rebecca Watson's name, Richard Dawkins issued a one sentence apology for his Elevatorgate comments. He posted the apology near the bottom of one of his blog posts.<ref>[https://richarddawkins.net/2014/08/who-is-belittling-what/ Who is “belittling” what?] by Richard Dawkins</ref> In response, Rebecca Watson wrote in Twitter post: "Richard Dawkins did the blog-equivalent of coughing into his hand while mumbling "sorry" to me. Eh I'll take it."<ref>[https://twitter.com/rebeccawatson/status/497087309805027328 Rebecca Watson's Twitter post about Dawkins' apology]</ref>
On August 6, 2014, three years after Elevatorgate, without mentioning Rebecca Watson's name, Richard Dawkins issued a one sentence apology for his Elevatorgate comments. He posted the apology near the bottom of one of his blog posts.<ref>[https://richarddawkins.net/2014/08/who-is-belittling-what/ Who is “belittling” what?] by Richard Dawkins</ref> In response, Rebecca Watson wrote in Twitter post: "Richard Dawkins did the blog-equivalent of coughing into his hand while mumbling "sorry" to me. Eh I'll take it."<ref>[https://twitter.com/rebeccawatson/status/497087309805027328 Rebecca Watson's Twitter post about Dawkins' apology]</ref>
However, as noted below, on November 18, 2014, Richard Dawkins publicly declared that Rebecca Watson's elevator incident was "rather trivial" compared to some incidents Muslim women experience.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/richard-dawkins-stands-by-remarks-on-sexism-pedophilia-down-syndrome/2014/11/18/a2915cd8-6f64-11e4-a2c2-478179fd0489_story.html Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014</ref> In addition, he complained about "thought police" muzzling his speech.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/richard-dawkins-stands-by-remarks-on-sexism-pedophilia-down-syndrome/2014/11/18/a2915cd8-6f64-11e4-a2c2-478179fd0489_story.html Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014</ref>
However, as noted below, on November 18, 2014, Richard Dawkins publicly declared that Rebecca Watson's elevator incident was "rather trivial" compared to some incidents Muslim women experience.<ref>[https://archive.md/kk5nO Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014</ref> In addition, he complained about "thought police" muzzling his speech.<ref>[https://archive.md/kk5nO Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014</ref>
(see additional information below)
(see additional information below)
''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins quotes]]
''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins quotes]]
On November 18, 2014, Richard Dawkins indicated that: he stands by his recent remarks about women/men relations, he feels muzzled by "thought police" and that [[Rebecca Watson]]'s experience in the elevator was "rather trivial" compared to events some Muslim women experience.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/richard-dawkins-stands-by-remarks-on-sexism-pedophilia-down-syndrome/2014/11/18/a2915cd8-6f64-11e4-a2c2-478179fd0489_story.html Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014</ref>
On November 18, 2014, Richard Dawkins indicated that: he stands by his recent remarks about women/men relations, he feels muzzled by "thought police" and that [[Rebecca Watson]]'s experience in the elevator was "rather trivial" compared to events some Muslim women experience.<ref>[https://archive.md/kk5nO Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014</ref>
Specifically, the ''Washington Post'' reported on November 18, 2014:
Specifically, the ''Washington Post'' reported on November 18, 2014:
Dawkins, however, disagrees. He is, he said, not a misogynist, as some critics have called him, but “a passionate feminist.” The greatest threats to women, in his view, are Islamism and jihadism — and his concern over that sometimes leads him to speak off-the-cuff.
Dawkins, however, disagrees. He is, he said, not a misogynist, as some critics have called him, but “a passionate feminist.” The greatest threats to women, in his view, are Islamism and jihadism — and his concern over that sometimes leads him to speak off-the-cuff.
“I concentrate my attention on that menace and I confess I occasionally get a little impatient with American women who complain of being inappropriately touched by the water cooler or invited for coffee or something which I think is, by comparison, relatively trivial,” he said.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/richard-dawkins-stands-by-remarks-on-sexism-pedophilia-down-syndrome/2014/11/18/a2915cd8-6f64-11e4-a2c2-478179fd0489_story.html Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014 and syndicated to the ''Washington Post''</ref>}}
“I concentrate my attention on that menace and I confess I occasionally get a little impatient with American women who complain of being inappropriately touched by the water cooler or invited for coffee or something which I think is, by comparison, relatively trivial,” he said.<ref>[https://archive.md/kk5nO Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome], by Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service November 18, 2014 and syndicated to the ''Washington Post''</ref>}}
== Atheist community double standards: Muslim men misogyny vs. atheist men misogyny ==
== Atheist community double standards: Muslim men misogyny vs. atheist men misogyny ==