I've worked with a predominately Woman staffed workforce for most of my professional career.
This whole charade of sexism can go fuck itself until the ageism issue of Baby Boomers riding out their job past their expiration date to go collect their pension.
It's not a gender issue. It's a getting fucked over as an employee issue. Maddox at XMission had it right that anytime somebody is willing to do a job for less money, whether illegal immigrant or for whatever reason, it's bad for us all. That was 20 fucking years ago.
Show me where women in the workforce have actually increased benefits and salary and I'll shut my fucking trap about being the asshole who stands up in the middle of a meeting talking about how I'm doing 200% more work for 0% more money and then we can go from there.
I'm seriously tired of this woe-is-me-I'm-a-prisoner-of-my-own-creation narrative. Why? Because I have a pre-existing condition. It has nothing to do with my gender, but if I'm not employable, then I'm fucked. Sure, I can sit around and play the blame game, but where does that get me?
This is not an male-oriented screed, this is something that is endemic to the US workforce culture. I can speak to it, I can cut you down to size at any point it time. Just look at how I treated Aaron with his little pet-project of looking into insurance.
Did I belittle him? Did I snipe at his humanity? NO. Did I basically laugh at him like a child who shows a parent a Play Dough sculpture of the Eiffel Tower? Yeah, I did, because I work in art.
One thing people forget about ART AS BUSINESS is that ugly people belong on radio and beautiful people get in front of the camera. This isn't Sexist, because it cuts both ways. Do you look like John Hamm or Bruce Willis? How about Tidla Swinton or Michelle Rodriguez? Hollywood isn't sexist, it's just fucking shallow and superficial.
I'm 100% behind women-based initiatives where there is money to back up the mouth. SV Women should invest in ART that helps tell the stories they want told. Make your statement and be willing to lose money on it. Christian films do it all the time.
Why do I have this attitude? Because as a Male I have been the recipient of unwanted romantic advances and overtones in personal and professional spheres where I want my experiences to be respected. I have been sexually harassed by women and gay men in more than one job.
Right now? I'm being emotionally abused in my current job by a woman. How can I protest? How can I not come off like an asshole for pointing such a thing out? There's no right answer, so go ahead and say it. Let the chips fall where they may. That's how I sleep well at night.