Choices and Consequences

In truth, I suspect the greatest barrier WomenGamers.com faces is the perceptions of people like TormentGuy. While the site name is extremely important in letting female gamers know there's a place they don't have to deal with the problems I outlined above, unfortunately naming anything "woman ___" carries a certain amount of baggage. We didn't create the baggage, but there are quite a few folks out there who won't come through our front door because they see the name and think "ball-busting, man-hating, radical feminists." Or, conversely, they think we're the same old cocktail of horoscopes and relationships that's typical of the Cosmo genre, and there's nothing here for them.

I do not support changing the name at this time, because I think it's too important to hang out a shingle that signifies a welcoming refuge for female gamers who justifiably feel disenfranchised. However, we should be honest and recognize that we still have a lot of work to do with word-of-mouth and letting those who have preconceptions know that they don't hold water in our particular case: we are not the female counterpart to the Little Rascals' "He-man Wimmin Haterz Club!" Still, we can't deny that people with those notions exist and that they exert a certain amount of pressure, especially on our male members. Not naming any names, but there are a couple of males here who want a WomenGamers t-shirt but have publicly stated their discomfort with ever wearing it. You can argue that they shouldn't worry about what people think, but unfortunately there are a lot of creeps out there with some pretty limited gray matter between their ears. You know the type: These people would prejudge them and make additional, inaccurate assumptions on top of the already wrong-headed notions they have about what WomenGamers is, even though they've never bothered to take a look. I think one of the best ways female site members could thank our male supporters would be to politely educate the insecure, misinformed individuals who call subscribers' masculinity into question just because they like going to a site that has good articles about computer games.

Ultimately, presenting high quality, thought-provoking content on gaming issues is what WomenGamers is about. Our name may create obstacles with a certain segment of the population, but the truth is that the site openly welcomes gamers of all ages, colors, and genders, and we can overcome those obstacles and issues some people might have by sharing that truth.

As I said before, I believe we are in the process of a transformation in which the two sides must co-exist for a bit before the process is complete. I am not a radical; I just would like to see equality shine on the gaming community at large. The presence of pioneer sites like GameGirlz.com and WomenGamers.com will help to achieve this; they serve as gathering places, safe havens, and channels for lobbying and spreading awareness of our existence. But things will presumably evolve - computers are not going away, and their increased prevalence and importance means more gamers of all varieties. What happens then, when we've reached our goals? Will the name change after a certain point, after the status of female gamers is equal to that of males? What will it mean, or signify, if it does?

Through The Darkness of Futures Past

I think the name will probably stick around. Not only is it something that marketers latch on to (for better or for worse), but I think it will serve as a reminder of where we have been. It's kind of like the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Nobody calls African-Americans "colored" or "colored people" anymore, but it's a legacy - a reminder of where things were when the organization was founded. It's also about clout and recognition - because of their longevity, there's a certain amount of market branding and visibility that would be risked with a name change. However, that's something to contemplate for the future.

When I used to work as an HIV counselor, I would sometimes comment that the best thing that could ever happen was for me to be out of a job, because that would mean a cure had been found and I wouldn't have to say any more premature goodbyes. I have similar feelings about the cause of female gamers - it'll be a fine, fine day when I can slide my keyboard tray away and not have to annoy folks by grinding this particular axe anymore. But that day of equality has yet to arrive. We're not yet to the point that when someone says "gamer," those of TormentGuy's constituency don't automatically think "male." Progress has been made, but the work's not done. It's coming, but it's not time to lay that burden down just now.

In the meantime, I am very proud to be part of WomenGamers, and very grateful for the chance to make a difference, one IRC conversation at a time.

Articles on WomenGamers.Com solely reflect the experiences and perspectives of the author(s). Feel free to agree or disagree in the accompanying forum thread.