2019 is almost gone. We (me & husband) didn't get some of our usual holiday/NYE invites this year -- first time in over a decade. I know it's because of me. Because this is the year I became publicly & unapologetically gender critical.
I'm the one who gets dragged to parties, so I can't say I'm distraught having fewer parties to avoid. Can't say the same for my husband, who is a social butterfly. Struck by how insane and polarized our culture is. And how many people I once respected are so mindless.
Notably, there are men within this social circle who have publicly agreed with me on gender issues, and they are not being blacklisted by longtime friends. I guess only women have to pay the price. Which isn't surprising, really, considering how anti-feminist trans activism is.
It stung, badly, the first few times I lost friends. I don't care anymore. In May, a mob of 200+ people -- some former friends -- screamed like maniacs at me & my newborn "SAVE THE BABY FROM THE TERF", and none of these former friends spoke up, apologized etc.
Anyone who could participate in that harassment of a mother and infant, someone you *know*, is a deranged and hateful idiot. That's not a loss, losing people like that.
2019 was a great year for new friendships. I met SO MANY AMAZING women/men through @GIDYVR and related networking. I know we'll be lifelong friends. I didn't expect or plan to get involved in any of this.
I'm back to work in 2020, and don't know what is in store for me there, where I'm also open about my views. It has been disturbing to see the escalating harassment of feminist women in their professional lives. In any event, cat's out etc., and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Here's to 2020.
