Should Men be allowed in a Women's Forum?

[CyclChyk]

Bikeforums, as an example, is predominatly male, yet women post frequently. Even tho there is a "women specific" thread, it does not mean I am allowed to post only in the female one.

The internet is very public. I am sure LOTS of men read our posts of periods and sex and hormones, and a very select few would even want to post comment. I propose that if you have an issue with a man reading something you have posted, then don't post it. Share/discuss it with a girlfrend on the phone.

Segregation. Thats all it is. Miss Black USA - no whites allowed but Miss USA allows blacks........ The Masters Golf Club here in Augusta GA - all male, no women allowed (its been disputed repeatedly).... TE.com; don't post if you don't have boobs (manboobs don't count).][

ARGH I hate this seperation crap - if a guy wants to post here, and keeps his "cool" what harm is there??????

I say let 'em stay. All the estrogen that flows around here I doubt they would stay all that long anyway.

[Wahine]

Segregation. Thats all it is. Miss Black USA - no whites allowed but Miss USA allows blacks........ The Masters Golf Club here in Augusta GA - all male, no women allowed (its been disputed repeatedly).... TE.com; don't post if you don't have boobs (manboobs don't count).][

I'm a little uncomfortable now. I don't really have much in the way of boobs. Can I still post?

Sorry, I thought this thread needed a little comic relief.

[Bikingmomof3]

FWIW-Mr.Silver has done nothing but be a gentleman.

Now as to the topic at hand, I *had* (note-past tense ) mixed feelings, as I think others have already posted about. Basically I worried this wonderful forum would become co-ed.

After reading these very thoughtful post, especially those by Kitsune06 and HipGnosis6, I must concur with what they wrote. And I further believe, as has been previously stated, no one should ever be discriminated against.

[Geonz]

To me it falls under "if you can't enforce it, don't make the rule." Makes it not even an issue. The effort to prevent XYs from participating just isnt' worth it even *if* it were desired.
And if a guy finds the environment worth hanging around in, cool beans. And a guy posts to update us on his wife, THANK YOU.

And... those of us with full blown "earth mother comfort shelves" as they're called on the very moderated bikejournal can average out with anyone feeling they might have insufficient rolling hills

[lauraelmore1033]

I would point out, just for the sake of being that person who points out useless bits of trivia when people are arguing, that estrogen is not the exclusive property of women. Men and women have varying proportions of both estrogen and testosterone (a fact I learned recently when tests revealed that my testosterone levels were higher than they ought to be...). So it is not inappropriate for a man to be a member of Team Estrogen, since he actually does have some...

[lph]

I would point out, just for the sake of being that person who points out useless bits of trivia when people are arguing, that estrogen is not the exclusive property of women. Men and women have varying proportions of both estrogen and testosterone (a fact I learned recently when tests revealed that my testosterone levels were higher than they ought to be...). So it is not inappropriate for a man to be a member of Team Estrogen, since he actually does have some...

aaaah - so good to see someone else being a trivia geek... (Anyone else fascinated that thing about ring finger length and testosterone?)

My viewpoint has been stated more eloquently by many of you further up but anyhoo: there are many reasons that I was very happy to find this forum. I don't post a great deal, but I like having the chance. There are a few subjects that I'd prefer to discuss only with women, but they're fairly obvious sensitive subjects like saddle sores or other bodily issues and functions. There are other subjects that aren't equally sensitive but where I probably write in a different manner knowing that I'm addressing only women, things that touch onto our position in society or our social role. On this forum I know men could be reading it anyway, but the difference is in who I am "inviting to join the discussion".

That being said about the good points on having a forum for women, I have no problem with Mr. Silver being here, or with him being invited in the first place. He seems like a really sweet guy and a most excellent hubby :-), and he certainly doesn't seem the type to butt in with a male viewpoint on a sensitive issue for women.

I think TE is better for being that much more open, and it doesn't change the fact that TE is a forum for discussing cycling for women - and should stay so.

Lastly - while I respect that some of you are uncomfortable with his presence I find it a little sad that you seem to be questioning his motives for being here, or for posting x amount. I assume he just enjoys the company, like the rest of us, and from what I've seen he has been nothing but supportive and enthusiastic. "He ain't bad just cos he's a guy"

[LBTC]

(Anyone else fascinated that thing about ring finger length and testosterone?)

Trivia geek here: tell me what this thing with the ring finger length?

~T~

[Wahine]

FWIW-Mr.Silver has done nothing but be a gentleman.

Now as to the topic at hand, I *had* (note-past tense ) mixed feelings, as I think others have already posted about. Basically I worried this wonderful forum would become co-ed.

After reading these very thoughtful post, especially those by Kitsune06 and HipGnosis6, I must concur with what they wrote. And I further believe, as has been previously stated, no one should ever be discriminated against.

This is exactly what I love about this forum. Not only are there many very bright women here but also women of integrity who are willing to say what they stand up and are also willing to say that they have been swayed to a different opinion. I takes guts to put out a post like the one BMO3 did. I have nothing but respect for you.

[mimitabby]

This is exactly what I love about this forum. Not only are there many very bright women here but also women of integrity who are willing to say what they stand up and are also willing to say that they have been swayed to a different opinion. I takes guts to put out a post like the one BMO3 did. I have nothing but respect for you.

ME TOO! what amazing, passionate, compassionate, profound posts!

Mr Silver can't make that go away, nor can trolling men!
We have nothing to fear, my dears, TE is going to stay TE.. Only certain kinds of guys are going to post here and not get chased off. Mr Silver
is one of them. It's because he's sensitive and genuinely interested in conversation with us.
If he was womanizing, challenging or something else we didn't like, we'd fry him in his own juices. Any one of the gals who has posted on this thread could do this VERY well.

You guys are all great, I'm so glad I found this board.

[roguedog]

Hear, hear.. ditto, ditto to what Hip, BMo3 and everyone else who is pro open forum.

Don't like discrimination of any sort..

Also, I enjoy the diversity of viewpoints. Makes life more interesting as long as we are all courteous, open minded and don't take things personally. Hey! I read one of the most informative articles on shaving legs on one of the other bike forums and it was written by a man! Plus I found it amusing and fascinating...

Unfortunately in my experience, being rude, condescending, belittling and all manner of other "making others feel less than" are open to all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions etc. You get the idea.

It is the behavior that we might discourage not a person's physical make up, religious or philosophical viewpoint or whatever.

Well.. maybe people who don't like good food and wine/alcohol.. I could maybe make an exception there

[mary9761]

I'm a little uncomfortable now. I don't really have much in the way of boobs. Can I still post?

Sorry, I thought this thread needed a little comic relief.

I have PLENTY and then some and have often been asked to share, but unfortunately it don't happen that way

As far as the topic, I'm so far behind on the forums with computer problems, health problems and worry over my grandmother I don't know what happened on another thread, but I'll weigh in with as long as they are respectful and realize that this is indeed a forum discussing women's issues, I see no problem. My husband will be given my password etc and notes to possibly keep you guys up to date if I ever get in to see a surgeon and happen to need back surgery. I think Mr Silver has been great, I appreciated knowing about Silver's accident and her condition until she could get online and update us herself. It touched me deeply when I was offline recently and found when I came back that he'd inquired on my back. I hope he's feeling better too.
I don't like any form of discrimination either, as to the comment about why would a straight person go to a gay bar, I went to several with one of my friends for my birthday when I was single and had one of the best birthday's I can remember. It was great going, dancing having a blast and not being expected to "put out" for the priveledge LOL.... Seriously though, I've had many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friends over the years and I'd hate for them to be excluded from something just because of their gender/preference etc.
just my 2 cents and some change