"We misjudged the separation of technology and politics"

I can't think of a more perfect summary for the continued social failures of infosec. They have clearly learned nothing of value. https://t.co/vGb3al6Ain

— Sarah Jamie Lewis (@SarahJamieLewis) June 14, 2019

A keynote from a lawmaker who doesn’t believe women should have fundamental human rights is not a great way make women feel welcome in the infosec community. @BlackHatEvents https://t.co/0nFrY30KEF

— Eva (@evacide) June 13, 2019

Just to be clear, Congressman Hurd was coming to Black Hat to speak about cybersecurity as the best advocate on the topic we have in Congress. Some of the community decided to engage in polarization and politics based on a very small biased sampling of information. https://t.co/n7pnR1rZ4f

— Matt Devost (@MattDevost) June 14, 2019

I think @BlackHatEvents deserves credit for listening to the community feedback and taking quick corrective action. Inviting Hurd to keynote was shortsighted and sent the wrong message about the importance of inclusivity. https://t.co/Hy4vKYkNFN

— Chris Eng (@chriseng) June 14, 2019

What other views disqualify someone from keynoting Black Hat? Best not to invite any legislator with more than a term under her belt. Should Black Hat now ask potential speakers for their views on abortion, or is it fine so long as we don't know? https://t.co/1TmcFMOLQk

— granick (@granick) June 14, 2019

Has anyone thought to consider that the diversity issue in tech just miiiiiight be linked to the “sure, he doesn’t think this marginalized demographic is made up of humans deserving of rights, but he still does good work” attitude so many people still have?

Just wondering. https://t.co/jtmpqQjnYI

— the apocalypse, but fashion ? (@ElleArmageddon) June 15, 2019

What other views disqualify someone from keynoting Black Hat?

Views that are in direct opposition to many of those attending, supporting, sponsoring, and presenting. The InfoSec community is opinionated, and stands up for what they think is right. https://t.co/VtpIztzPnK

— ChrisJohnRiley @ #FIRST2019 ? (@ChrisJohnRiley) June 15, 2019

Sometimes speaking up works. https://t.co/3Wcg51EI8X

— Eva (@evacide) June 14, 2019

Black Hat said it "misjudged the separation of technology and politics" and recognized Black Hat "is not the appropriate platform for the polarizing political debate resulting from our choice of speaker."https://t.co/nS72A1wX47

— Zack Whittaker (@zackwhittaker) June 14, 2019

A Black Hat representative tells me Rep. Hurd's keynote was canceled before they could even discuss how much he was going to get paid https://t.co/PRrQ1UF5KF

— alfred ? (@alfredwkng) June 14, 2019

UPDATE: A statement from Hurd's communications director, Katie Thompson: https://t.co/b6ltlaJHe3 pic.twitter.com/pco8SXJU5o

— Sean Lyngaas (@snlyngaas) June 14, 2019

Will Hurd’s Black Hat keynote nixed amid criticism of voting record https://t.co/b6ltlaJHe3

— Sean Lyngaas (@snlyngaas) June 14, 2019

Interesting...
Hacker Conference Disinvites U.S. Congressman Over Abysmal Women's Rights Voting Record https://t.co/n5En2VWU3h via @gizmodo

— Karim Walker (@shift_in2_turbo) June 15, 2019

Update w/ statement from Rep. Hurd's spokesperson concerning Black Hat's decision to cancel his keynote address: https://t.co/OOEJaA1QsJ pic.twitter.com/9G5cukLXp7

— Dell Cameron (@dellcam) June 14, 2019

Black Hat USA axes anti-abortion congressman as keynote speaker after outcry – and more news from infosec land https://t.co/rolo7r8MxY #infosec pic.twitter.com/W8NovIHWrp

— #AI (@AI__TECH) June 15, 2019

So yea, now our community censors people based on political correctness.https://t.co/46XiUWGaEP

— Robᵇᵉᵗᵒ Graham (@ErrataRob) June 14, 2019

So @BlackHatEvents smartly invited @HurdOnTheHill to keynote, which would empower attendees with insights we could all use. Would have been great and on topic. Was it a biased article that radicalized/politicized Black Hat? https://t.co/Gc4rA8TBvb

— Bob Gourley (@bobgourley) June 14, 2019

This is the right decision and I'm glad Black Hat made it. https://t.co/1mqbFWN16q

— Ian Coldwater ⎈ (@IanColdwater) June 14, 2019

**Shocking** Women and minority tech conference attendees don't give a damn what Will Hurd has to say about tech, because, you know, he consistently votes against their rights.https://t.co/ioKs4kizSp

— Gina Ortiz Jones (@GinaOrtizJones) June 14, 2019

Thank you to the @BlackHatEvents organizers, who have walked back their decision to have Will Hurd keynote the con this year. https://t.co/tmhdDUWwbg https://t.co/3V28njOAzT

— Tarah (@tarah) June 14, 2019

It's amazing how the "anti fascist" crowd is increasingly totalitarian in their conduct. This is another demonstration that woke posturing is more important than meaningful dialogue and tangible progress.

This hurts, not helps, #cybersecurity.https://t.co/Mjhfk6XR17

— Klon Kitchen (@klonkitchen) June 15, 2019

New: Black Hat has confirmed Rep. Will Hurd will no longer headline the security conference later this year amid his voting record on women's rights. https://t.co/nS72A1wX47

— Zack Whittaker (@zackwhittaker) June 14, 2019

Republican lawmaker pulled from keynote at cyber conference https://t.co/loieAFTShR #TribeSecure #CyberAwareness pic.twitter.com/xEOO644aAC

— Tribe Security Inc. (@Tribe_Secure) June 14, 2019

Will Hurd worked in the CIA for a decade.

He is a leading voice in Congress on cyber security issues.

He was uninvited because he is pro-life.

These forum organizers should be embarrassed. Really, really embarrassed. https://t.co/1lGHsWm9IE

— Andrew Clark (@AndrewHClark) June 15, 2019

NEW: Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) has been removed as a keynote speaker at a major cybersecurity conference after critics slammed his record on women's issues including abortion. https://t.co/1Osch80wFr

— Axios (@axios) June 14, 2019

Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) has been removed as a keynote speaker at a major cybersecurity conference after critics slammed his record on women's issues including abortion. https://t.co/pCiSxmQUHo

— Resistbot (@resistbot) June 15, 2019