Just because someone has left a comment on the discussion board doesn't mean they're stirring a pot or flaming. If you intend to get defensive the minute someone disagrees with you (instead of discussing your side), don't start a thread asking why or don't participate in one that
asks why. Plain and simple.
I personally don't associate myself with any fandom in anticipation of all the drama (and because I'm not so interested in things that I can carry on conversations about it for 10 years). Once the berry starts to rot, nothing can be done to save the rest unless you remove them from the bunch. -
paraphrasing ms. Judy, y'all. If you're
all going to be a part of some label, you're all responsible
for that
entire label. Even if you strip that label away, that doesn't remove the fact that a large number of people that we encounter in our lives will be assholes or sexual deviants.
Straight up-
"Girl" properties never get good treatment. They are completely forgotten at worst, or they are never given any treatment for newer ages to enjoy. Things like Rainbow Bright, Strawberry Shortcake, etc...
Now, in more recent times this is changing, which is good. You've got Shera and even original content like Steven Universe. This movement of applying modern treatment of Girl properties started with My Little Pony in the mid 2000s. This is good.
But then you get these guys who come in and push the girls out. Part of it for reasons already mentioned, the "moe" culture- which has a lot of problematic roots of its own grounded in misogyny against real women. These characters just take over the property and spaces online, so it's difficult for the intended audience to connect and like them.
I'm not gonna waste my time coddling bronies either. Whether you are pushing girls out of the fandom or not-- I feel like if you're not willing to acknowledge the problems in your fandom, you are just as part of the problem as the 'bad apples'.
I get what you're saying. I don't think there should be 'girl-only shows' just like there are 'boy-only shows' but I can totally understand the frustration of just being a girl and trying to enjoy something without some 50 yr old guy (that refuses to grow up and accept reality) masturbating all over it.
Online it's much easier to discuss your interests, but in person? All males, I overhear them talking about a game I like and try to be confident and social... they just take one step closer to each other to exclude me from their social circle. If it's not about the game, it's about the 'hot characters'. If you're against them
in a game, they're going to harass you for being born the way you are. Wearing outfits at conventions, you're gonna have pervs snappin' pics of you every other minute. Some people might even try to outright grope you. It can be very difficult
and discouraging.