My opinion is that if you are calling yourself a "professional" organization, then your members are a representation of the entire group. Yes, that includes personal blogs. Your diary at home is one thing, but Vox Day or whatever his name is, isn't writing his deranged, lunatic ramblings in his hello kitty diary at home, he's doing it on a VERY public place. And he was allowed to run for president of the SFWA? Are you kidding me? And more than one person actually VOTED for him?
To be honest, I'm not sure that I'd be interested in joining SFWA at all, since they so clearly tolerate (and even occasionally display) a misogynist attitude.
This was the argument I posed in the SFWA forum and on my blog.
In brief, I believe this person is still a member because he purchased a lifetime membership back when that was available, and it has made things murky as to how to discharge him based on the current bylaws. Once the reincorporation goes through, I hope--oh, do I ever--that will change.
As it is, we do have a policy on sexual harrassment, and it needs to be followed.
“The SFWA administration, employees, members, and volunteers are responsible for assuring that all persons who participate in SFWA programs and activities do so in an atmosphere free of all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Sexual harassment is unlawful and impedes the realization of SFWA’s mission to inform, support, promote, defend and advocate for our members. SFWA will respond promptly and effectively to reports of harassment and discrimination of any kind and will take appropriate action to prevent, to correct, and if necessary, to discipline behavior that violates this policy. This policy applies to any events or spaces sponsored by SFWA, including but not limited to the SFWA discussion Forums, the SFWA website, the Nebula Awards Weekend, and the SFWA suite.”
In addition to my original post, I've also added this.
It's being discussed, and heatedly, in the SFWA forum. We're looking for solutions. I hope the changes come swiftly for all of the reasons Mary covered in her post.