Open source is more than code — it’s culture, power, and politics. In this talk-panel hybrid, we’ll explore how free and open source software can either include or exclude, depending on the choices we make as contributors, maintainers, and community members. Through real examples and lived experience, we’ll examine the hidden barriers faced by queer, neurodivergent, and racialized folks in open source spaces — from inaccessible documentation to toxic contribution models.

We’ll break down what it means to build inclusive tools in public, and how design, governance, and community practices shape who gets to participate. Expect a mix of technical insight, practical tips, and critical reflection, plus voices from across the open source world — not just developers.

Because your README is never neutral, and neither is your code.
“Queer people belong in open source — and we’re here to change how it works.”

I’m a queer Latina engineering leader with over 25 years of experience in web technologies, open source, and infrastructure. My background spans roles as a software engineer, tech lead, and engineering manager — including work on CI systems at GitLab and currently in Internet and network protocols. I spent 10 years teaching Computer Science at the University of Guadalajara and have spoken at global conferences on topics from leadership to software development and open source.

Beyond code, I’m deeply committed to building inclusive tech spaces. I’ve co-founded initiatives like TechWo to support women in tech, taught at bootcamps and ReDi School in Berlin, and mentored FLINTA professionals navigating tech careers. I also actively contribute to LGBTQ+, Latine, and Neurodiversity communities through ERGs and volunteer work.

My mission is to demystify complex technical topics, open doors for underrepresented folks, and advocate for a more just and joyful tech industry — one contribution at a time.