GitHub Engineer Quits After Alleging Gender Harassment

Julie Ann Horvath, an outspoken and well-known engineer at GitHub, a mega-successful social network for coders, says a toxic workplace forced her out. She's telling her story of harassment on Twitter, right now.

Horvath seems to have been spurred by a post on Secret, apparently by an anonymous coworker, accusing her of "raging against professional criticism" at GitHub:

Horvath has been railing against GitHub—albeit in only vague terms—since last night:

If you stand up for what's right, be prepared to suffer the worst abuse and harassment of your life, from all sides.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 14, 2014

It's interesting watching someone try to destroy my professional reputation and collect gossip about me from others.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I'm incredibly happy to moving on to join a more healthy work environment, with a team who doesn't tolerate harassment of their peers.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I don't regret standing up for myself. I've never lied about contributions. I have a URL for everything I've shipped.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I've been harassed by 'leadership' at GitHub for two years. And I am the first developer to quit.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

Don't stand for aggressive behavior that's disguised as "professional feeback" and demand that harassment isn't tolerated.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

My only regret is not leaving or being fired sooner. What I endured as an employee of GitHub was unacceptable and went unnoticed by most.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I regret defending GitHub's culture to feminists for the last two years. I'm sorry to everyone I've hurt in doing so.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

In one day, all of the work I've done at that company to be a better place for women to work has come undone.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

Accused of having an ego because I demand to be treated with respect and talked to like a human.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

Accused of being only interested in self-promo because I worked to make myself more visible in the community.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I said this when I watched someone I respect & admire be attacked but there is such a visceral reaction to women standing up for themselves.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I have never wanted to quit tech more than after having startup PTSD like this.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

I also hope they ask persons responsible for abuse and harassment to step down.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

There are good people at GitHub and leadership should be accountable to them, not predators and harassers.

— Julie Ann Horvath (@nrrrdcore) March 15, 2014

Horvath hasn't explained who exactly these "predators and harassers" are, or what exactly they did to her (other than prey and harass, presumably), but she says she's "done keeping quiet and will be writing about my experiences soon." For GitHub, a company with $100 million in prominent venture capital funding, an enormous public reputation, and a confused history of promoting startup "meritocracy," Horvath's story is putting a lot on the line.

I've asked GitHub for comment, and will update if they get back to me.