Her situation sounds more like sex discrimination than asshattery, though.

Jeff Koons doesn’t care if you know it or not.

So I went to a very liberal all-girls middle school that flowed into high school. They curriculum put a real emphasis on a well-rounded, challenging education, being smart, being assertive and being aggressive in a sense that if you had to work hard to get what you want. At the same time, you should never be afraid of…

That is an unbelievably well thought out and intelligent response. I love how you hold to the facts and keep a compassionate tone/viewpoint for both cis-women and trans-women.

Is it possible... just possible that cis-women might have a thing or two to learn from their trans-sisters?

I’ve felt it as a female gamer and a female programmer and finally as the only female in a garage. That was in my mid 20s and when they hired another girl I was like no more. Some of the most important and healthy relationships that I have are with other women, and I won’t cut off more opportunities for myself to have…

There are some strong correlations to this and being the only “other” in various social situations. I think it stems from the “other” actually knowing that they are “other” and realizing how hard it was to get into that coveted social space. Once they’re in they have two options...invite others in or fight hard to…

People are animals, filthy animals who have a greater intellect that has allowed us to create an ego and superiority complex. The only difference between people and any other animal on this planet is that people know they are better than any other animal.

It all seems simple when you’re an adult and looking in from the outside, but when you’re young and trying to navigate these social spaces yourself it’s not as easy.

A strangely common (also hetronormative perspective) one is that the “new” girl/woman is in a relationship with one of the boys/men (either before joining the group, or enters sometime after), then doesn’t want her man hanging out with any other (single?) women, no matter how platonic the relationship.

Being the only girl is not the “only girl syndrome”. Its the fear of other women which she got over.

(Another dude here), first 1/2 of story is pretty much par for the course “Smurfette” situation which happens with pretty much every male dominated field/hobby. Everyone (straight dude) gets so excited that there is a girl/woman who finally shares their interest, and the mass-awkward hitting on begins.

I was the only woman working an an EB Games over ten years ago. Then a prettier woman came in who liked Halo more than I did, and I was literally replaced, as in they stopped putting me on the schedule and basically quietly fired me.

I was one of three runner-ups in a competition for “People’s Nerd” on the second…

The guy on the far right is actually playing an N-Gage.

I’m not sure about the “Only Girl” syndrome, being a guy. Specifically, I can’t speak from experience so I won’t comment on that.

Thanks for this article, it was a really refreshing read. As a female gamer, I’ve struggled with this mentality before, (mainly in middle/high school) and it’s a crappy thing to feel. Especially when another female played more “hardcore”(CoD and other FPS) games than I did (I mostly play JRPGs). Hopefully in the years…

I feel like to be a sport, it should require some sort of physical action or athleticism. Golf would count, because hitting a ball 300 yards counts as a feat of athleticism. Video games do not, because while I acknowledge that they require quick reflexes, skill, and teamwork, pressing buttons is not enough of a…