Should Men be allowed in a Women's Forum?

[Veronica]

Since this a public forum, you never know who could be reading. There could be lots of men out there who are just having a grand ole time over the diva cup or Brazilian waxes. AND never say that they are here.

Lots of things posted by WOMEN here make me uncomfortable. It doesn't keep me from posting or reading. It doesn't mean the topics shouldn't be posted. I am pleased with the Ignore Thread feature because I can now ignore those threads more easily. I don't want to ignore the posters, because in other threads I've valued their comments.

Heck, I could be a man for all some of you know.

V.

[Triskeliongirl]

One thing this thread did is make me realize is that despite being of the same gender how really different we are from each other. While some women are uncomfortable with men posting here (remember they can always lurk and read, so its posting we are talking about) other women find the sheer thought of engaging in the form of discrimination that was proposed, gender bias, extremely offensive. Someone on the original thread posted about not understanding why straight people might come into a gay bar. Its cuz they have empathy with the people there; they feel more like they belong there than in straight clubs that conform to different cultural biases and stereotypes. Obvisouly some men feel that here. Who are we to judge. Its like judging someone for simply being who they are, whether who they are is gay, straight, transgendered, or whatever. As long as the focus here remains issues of interest to women cyclists, who are we to ban a guy that shares our interests.

[Popoki_Nui]

Who are we to judge. **** As long as the focus here remains issues of interest to women cyclists, who are we to ban a guy that shares our interests.

I was about to say exactly the same thing. While I would prefer a women-only group, this simply isn't possible on the anonymous WWW. Things I feel uncomfortable discussing in the presence of guys, I simply don't post here. It is a little limiting, for sure. But otherwise, as long as the guys here remain respectful (as I believe Mr Silver has), and the focus is on women's issues WRT cycling, then I'm fine with it.


~Sherry.