To all those who say on threads 'I am too scared to go into feminism' - this topic isn't scary!

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I think it's a shame when I see threads where the OP says 'I am too scared to put this in feminism' or something.

I am certainly not knowledgeable about feminist theory, but have never felt that my opinion on this thread wasn't wanted or I was vilified for stating what I believed.

I think this topic is pretty inclusive - yes some people are forthright with their opinions, but nobody's word is god, and I would hate to think that mumsnetters were put off contributing to threads in this topic because they mistakenly think the posters on here are viragos.

But...but...but there are loads of people saying I like the feminism boards as they are.
And loads others saying Well, I don't. Why don't you change to suit me and others like me?

That's not fair.

I would if I wasn't such a cunt.

'But...but...but there are loads of people saying I like the feminism boards as they are.
And loads others saying Well, I don't. Why don't you change to suit me and others like me?

That's not fair.'

^ This.

Some people
just don't get
that you can be flippant
or funny, or both
in conversation
about serious matters.

They SO don't get it, they immediately take offence at levity. Probably because they have tiny, tiny senses of humour. In my experience, these tend to be the very same individuals who assume that penis-free orgasms are better for every woman

There is little to be done about this.
But it's a shame those individuals have louder voices than the funny, penis-loving feminists.

Now I'm going to be labelled an anti-feminist MRA plaything of the patriarchy.
But no matter. I have the identical problem on the male-dominated, ego-driven tech forums I frequent.
Only they never talk about orgasms. So I guess that's a plus here!

Think I'll finish that vodka now.

garlic, are you smoking something good?!

When was the thread where everyone classified themselves by orgasm type? Was I not invited because you all reckon I'm a dried-up spinster?

Exactly, LRD. It's all about "us"-ism. Exclusivity, cliqueishness, gang mentality, call it what you will.

others saying Well, I don't. Why don't you change to suit me and others like me?

... erm, because the way "you" are alienates lots of women with broadly feminist attitudes. "You" say you want to highlight feminist attitudes, yet "you" scare them off.

It's not the same as the SN boards or the doggy board or Sparky's new life limits board - those are special concern areas, whereas this is an entire, huge forum of women. Feminism affects every woman. Therefore this board has NO excuse for an exclusive attitude.

It was both frightening and hilarious, LRD! I ended up backing Bonsoir (an extremely rare event) as the whole thread had assumed PIV was undesirable unnecessary for satisfactory sex.

SAF, hetero feminists don't say you should have a penis is the vadge. Just that some of us prefer one.

in, not is

But does the board have an exclusive attitude? Some posters may, but who says they have more voice than you do? No-one can delete you for admitting you don't read Dworkin/haven't been on Reclaim the Night/think women should all be painted yellow and stuck on a maypole.

Cross-post (I keep getting error messages, anyone else?).

That does sound odd Garlic. Did they mean a penis isn't necessary for good sex, rather than that not everyone prefers oral/fingers/toys?

I agree SaF.

I think this may be a tone issue ... I do see you're probably joking GB but it's a bit close to the bone I think and I'm too knackered to quite get whether you are being rude about lesbians or not.

Ah, but I have done options 1 and 2. It makes fuck all difference, I'm still persona non grata. Don't mind the painting yellow, but the maypole part sounds both painful and anti-woman on present information. Mind if I just go with the paint?

I'm smoking Amber Leaf. It's the vodka

well this is getting confusing now.
whats being a lesbian got to do with it-or not.?
im happy to talk about cock-the silocone ones are better than the plastic ones!

then you talk about the old days and apparently they were all awful and ruined feminism too.

Huh? Not understanding. Clarify please?

I only join in these threads because I care very much about women being interested in feminism and then feeling alienated by their most available source.
I only revisit my personal experiences because this is a forum and personal experiences count on a forum.

Well we're not too exclusionary - academic - chinstroking - if we've moved on to talking bollocks

Are they, sparky? I have to admit I've never tried. Do you have recommendations?