I guess I wonder if we want to be neutral? It's hard to say because it's all in intent for me. Sometimes I can swallow my pride and let things go if the person really means well. I don't see myself as a ma'am or a lady or a woman or a female at all, if truth be told. I like girly stuff, but I'm my own person. I also understand that other people, like us, mean well but don't know how to classify well.

So in the knowledge that our language is patriarchal in nature, what would you call a female athlete? Or someone competing against the big boys?

(I can say that, I swam in the big girl/boy lane at the gym AND I did 30 laps. Means I can say these things, right?)