Should Men be allowed in a Women's Forum?

[spokewench]

I really have no problem with men on this forum if they are respectful to the obvious flavor of this forum. This is a welcoming, non-judgmental forum and that is the way it should stay. There are some forums out there that we all are aware of that are not friendly even to other males. The flavor of those forums is sarcastic, vicious and uncaring of others feelings. I do not want to see this happen to TE, but I do not believe we should bar males who want that same kind of feeling in a forum.

I compare this with my ladies rides. In my small town, there are very few group rides for men or ladies that are not hammerfests. It is a small town where the core group of racers/riders are a young crowd. We are a university town. I lead women's rides, but I have never barred men if they would like to come along. If they are good riders, I expect them to be respectful and help teach; if they are just looking for a ride where they will not be dropped and can learn, I see no reason why they can't join. I always laughingly say at the beginning of a ride to a new male rider that I don't know "if you leave your testosterone at home, you are welcome" They seem to get the idea and I have never had a problem.