bushbred wrote about the lack of female participants in OLO. We have Foxy who is most articulate, but I think more women would change the tenor of the discussions in a positive way. What can we do? Does the male contingent discourage female participation?

I think quotas are the only answer.

Affirmative action!

It's well known that Severin's posts can be deleted by the male posters. They're always trying to silence her. It's just not fair. And Graham is biassed too, he called her difficult. There's a long history of misogynist exclusion on OLO.

They cant handle that she has an opinion while being female. I've often tried to tell her to post more while she's male, but she just doesn't listen.

david f
You are very sweet, but this woman feels fine with OLO. It is an open public forum and anyone can join.

The strong anti-women sentiment that prevails at times on some threads is usually fuelled by personal emotional experiences and better not to take offence. They are a minority and don't represent most men. (If that is what you are referring to)

Houlley should be banned though - he is just mean and cruel to chickens, even going so far as saying they have no chardonnay rights - Boo Hiss. :)

How can you tell?
I have been mistaken for a woman.
Some of our very best posters are female.
Rarely have I needed to know a persons sex age or other than the on line persona.
Surely we are ok as we are.

Dear David F.,

Thank You for the lovely compliment.

I agree with Pelly.
I think there's a pretty good mix on OLO - overall.
There's some very strong female posters -
Pelly is one of my favourites - as is
Suze, Pynch, Bronwyn, Severin (Fractelle),
Cornflower, and many others. All of whom
are more than capable of holding their own
in a discussion.

Sure, there will always be people on a public
forum such as this one who will dislike multifaceted,
talented, informed on the issues, constructive debaters
such as ourselves (I forgot to add humble as well).
But they are usually from the shallow
end of the gene pool - and a minority on OLO.

Perhaps we could have these repeat offenders tagged
With - "Beware - Alpha Dog!" every time they post?

Foxy:"
Perhaps we could have these repeat offenders tagged
With - "Beware - Alpha Dog!" every time they post?"

or perhaps they could be tagged with "beware- alpha bitch!", which my mate Max would regard as a challenge.

I bet he'd prevail 'n'all...