Originally Posted: August 15th, 2014
Updated: August 2023
This post has been refreshed in 2023 with updated writing, a new title, and an image to better enhance the story.
Author’s Note: When I say “all women,” I mean all women, including trans women and femmes, who deserve equal recognition, respect, and support.
Have you ever woken up wishing for dramatic changes in the world? I often do, especially for a more supportive world for all women – a topic that has been on my mind since middle school days in the mid-1990s.
Some might argue that the world has evolved enough to support all women and femmes. While there have been noticeable improvements, I say this with skepticism. Society still finds ways to restrict, demean, and harass women, trans women, and femmes, reminiscent of A Handmaid’s Tale.
It’s also disturbing to witness the pressures on women, trans women, and femmes: conforming to standards, marriage expectations, gender norms, and more. Even more troubling is the glorification of men who perpetuate sexism, making them out to be heroes of masculinity — gross with a capital G!
Not too long ago, a (now) ex-IT co-worker, whom I will call John Nobody, repeatedly sexually harassed another IT co-worker, Jane Someone, to the point where the behavior could be considered alarming and threatening. I confronted him, and he dismissed his bile of sexism as the truth. Not long after, I did what I could to see that consequences were brought down hard on John Nobody – or at the very least – see that his documented behavior would trigger immediate employment termination. But top management decided to take no action and instead believed the harassed co-worker may have been the cause of his behavior, so she needed to relocate to another office in the building. This right then and there was solid confirmation for me that misogyny still lingers – and that entire ordeal still irks me to this day.
Yes, I get it that “not all men” are like this, and I appreciate those who genuinely support women’s rights – even if it seems to be a rarity these days. But I struggle to trust those who claim to be allies yet contribute to toxic behavior. To the men who respect all women, thank you. To those who refuse to evolve, the world is moving on without you.
I am so sick and tired of society excusing those who disrespect all women. How would they feel if it were a woman close to them facing such abuse? It’s infuriating that some still hold outdated views, seeing women as either less than or only in traditional roles.
In a perfect world, women of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and backgrounds would be free from judgment and discrimination. They would be celebrated for their achievements in any field, with their opinions valued equally.
Ultimately, I envision a more supportive and inclusive world for all women, trans women, and femmes, where they are seen and treated as human beings with feelings and ideas, and not just objects of sex, scorn, and discrimination. Is that too much to ask? This world belongs to everyone, not just men.
Scott Bryant 