I’ve been happily posting away here on two accounts since just before the Great Migration, and have no problem being openly a woman on the internet. Up to and including correcting people who assume I’m a guy, and even occasionally acknowledging the existence of periods.

Which, honestly that was a bad tactic back on Reddit, my inbox was a nightmare. But here it’s gone much better, so thank you to anyone who ever received one of my corrections with good grace!

It’s also brought quite a few DMs my way from other women who try to stay more anonymous with their posts, a choice I can completely understand.

So today on International Women’s Day I just want to wave hello to the other women out there, even if you don’t want to break cover and wave back. Anonymous or not, cis or trans, I see you out there and you’re killing it.

This may break the community rule on encouraging discussion, if nobody wants to out themselves to say hello back. So I guess I should also ask a question.

Um…anyone else using it as an excuse to treat themselves today? I’ve given myself the day (mostly) off work and am doing some fun gamedev all afternoon instead, then we’re planning a takeaway tonight. Easily pleased, perhaps, but sounds good to me 😄

  • @FinishingDutch
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    1510 months ago

    Not a woman, but still: hello, welcome, 👋

    It’s a shame a lot of women still feel the need to hide in order to avoid bad interactions online. You’d think we’d have gotten past that phase by now. After all, half the folks on this planet are women. And since it isn’t 1992 anymore, girls are in fact allowed on the internet.

    Hiding perpetuates that stereotype, but I understand why they do it.

    • Iceblade
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      1210 months ago

      Yeah it happened more than once back on reddit that I got some creeper sending a pm, would usually chat politely with them for a bit before pulling out the good 'ol “You do realize I’m a guy, right?” - unfailingly got them pissed off and angry real quick.

      For extra creep factor, it would usually happen after posting on /r/teenagers

    • @[email protected]OP
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      1010 months ago

      It’s honestly just so much easier, I totally get it.

      But let’s keep it light! Assuming the “Dutch” part of your username is accurate, I’d like to congratulate you and your country on a banging Eurovision entry this year.

      • @FinishingDutch
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        610 months ago

        It’s accurate yes :D and that certainly is an… annoyingly catchy song for sure!

        • @[email protected]OP
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          510 months ago

          I tried to hate it but turns out it’s impossible so just embraced loving it instead

          🎵 Euro-pa-pa pa-pa pa-pa-pa 🎵