[jshevek]

There is a major problem of ambiguity at every level of this conversation. At least one person (reasonably) interpreted the claim to be that women are more likely to experience a particular kind of response in a particular forum. This is not a subjective claim. It may be hard to test, but it is either true or not true.

If it is not true, but the person believes that it is true, they may even be harmed by their false belief.

In general, we should take great care not to confuse our subjective impressions or our emotional experiences with objective reality.

> If someone says they are always experiencing something, then we should listen instead of asking them to prove to us that they are allowed to feel that way.

Listening to a person (or even caring deeply for another's experience) is not mutual exclusive to taking steps to determine if their emotional responses are rooted in actual reality, or just their perception of reality. Both can happen together, by the same person, in the same conversation.

Presenting this as a choice of mutually exclusive options does everyone a disservice.

In my opinion, there are situations where you should prioritize a person's emotional experience, and situations in which you should prioritize the facts.

[groby_b]

Sure, you can prioritize the facts. But OP asked for the challenges experienced, and how they could help. I gave them that answer. If you then want additional facts, that's your problem, not mine or OPs.

[jshevek]

I would agree with you that you are under no obligation to reply to any of the questions, if that is what you are saying. Emphatically.

In my opinion, everyone should be encouraged to question the evidentiary basis of any of your beliefs and claims which deal with objective reality, not be discouraged from doing so, and not have this conflated with invalidating your experience.

[groby_b]

I am not conflating the two. I'm asking for the person posing the question to do the most basic research themselves. Their questions clearly indicate they haven't done so. So I opt out of continuing the conversation.

My objective reality is that they're not interested in actually having a conversation, but instead trolling. I require proof of work that that's not so.

[jshevek]

I apologize if my prior statement, made as a direct response to your prior-prior statement, implied that you specifically were conflating an investigation with invalidating your experience. I was just trying to briefly sketch out my position and motive in the overall conversation, which has involved many people and an array of views. I respect your choice to opt out.

[Erlich_Bachman]

I did my most basic research: I went to the websites and saw the interface and concluded that the interface does not distinguish between the gender of the members. That sounds like quite an evidence against your claim.