I’ve been gaming since I was 3. I learned, early on, that playing competitively online when there’s a necessity for voice communications meant that I would endure tons of harassment and shit talk. So I stopped playing those games. To me, and most talented girl gamers, the issue goes far beyond appearances.

About a year ago, a friend of mine said “you’re a really good gamer.” He competes in tournaments and does fairly well. My initial response was “no, I’m not that good…” and he said “no seriously, you’re really good.”

And in that moment I realized that all those years boys told me that girls couldn’t be gamers… all the emotional and verbal abuse… they really got to me.

And it really meant a lot to me that a gamer, who I respect deeply, took the time to be happy for me instead of telling me I’m a piece of shit.

Same goes for Music. And basically any other facet of life.

There’s no way to get around how many men completely and utterly despise and objectify women. And how many women do the same thing.