Quote Originally Posted by Eden View Post
I may not read the right threads, but it seems like CyclingForums (the other board I read and post to) is more civil than BikeForums? Not to say that there are not some real jerks and trolls over there, but it doesn't seem as if it's as constant. They have banned some folks for threats and personal attacks or inappropriate postings.
I don't know, Eden, virtually the first thread I read was this one:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t350478.html

I read a couple more things, and I don't know that I like the way sexist things are left for viewing, instead of getting removed. I saw a lot of posts that made me feel 'icky'--quite a few of them from the OP of the thread I've listed.

Apparently it's much more difficult to be sensitive than I had imagined. I am still appalled at the answer I got from one moderator:

"As for would it bother me if my wife looked at that thread, why would it? She is free to look at whatever she wants. Would it upset her, I doubt it but it is possible I guess."

This goes back to what Veronica said:

"Our instruction in sexual harassment says that if someone tells you they are offended, you need to stop."

I did complain, and I was offended. It's a co-ed site, not a private member's club.

Even where I work, we've had problems with harassment. I remember one poor Vietnamese woman who was harassed mercilessly by one of the custodial staff. He had a long history of harassing Asian women. This poor woman was even afraid to go to the bathroom because he would follow her into the bathroom! He would pretend that he was going to clean, you see.

I finally complained enough to one of the managers that this man was finally officially given a discussion. In over twenty years, no one had gotten this man pinned down on paper. As far as my workplace was concerned, this was the very first time he'd ever been given a talk about sexual harassment. He's managed to control himself much better .

But I get the feeling that many of the other cycling/bike forums apparently would just rather have women go away. It's just that vibe, you know? I mean, if I'm concerned enough to report a post, why would my concern be ignored? I realise that there's a difference between TE and BF and CF--for one thing CF does not appear to have any forum guidelines--at least not where the members can see it for review--but BF and TE certainly do. Why post guidelines if you don't ensure that members abide by the rules?

So, I'm still looking for other friendly sites, but it still looks as if TE is the happiest place for women.

East Hill