Pheracus, I may be the poster on the thread you were referring to. I find that as a woman, speaking more forcefully in order for people to listen, is not just an issue in games. As a software engineer I find it helps me do my job too. I see other women who don't project their voice get ignored or drowned out in spirited discussions. Some of this is just simple physics in a meeting or group interaction. The loudest and most distinct voices are heard and quieter and gentler voices get drowned out. On top of that there are unconscious biases that come up in communication. When I communicate in a softer voice I have found that I have to repeat myself 10 or 15 times in order to get someone to hear what I am saying. If I use a more forceful voice I'll get seen as being pushy/bossy/etc but at least I'll get heard. It has taken me many years to fight a good balance between the two. For some in interesting info on these kind of issues and how it affects career women, checkout http://fortune.com/2014/08/26/performance-review-gender-bias/ A remarkable thing is that the unconscious rules of verbal engagement appear to have interesting differences if the people think you are male or female. In fact when people learn that I am female in a group I often observe an immediate and subtle shift in the dynamics. It is also interesting to watch what happens when I am in a group of people where a couple of my friends are with strangers who haven't figured out there is a female in their midst. In my view this isn't about men being nasty evil oppressors or anything but more that the conditioned default experience in our society contains a set of unconscious biases based on gender (and lots of other things) that most people are not aware of. To the poster who thinks this is about seeking attention: While some of us do like and seek attention, what almost every woman I know, struggles with, in one way or another, is getting men around them to listen and actually hear what they are saying. Projecting my voice at an appropriate intensity works well to get myself heard as long as I say things that people find useful. After that it is all about having and earning respect of others through your ideas and actions.

44% of all gamers are female. This was a stat that I found while doing a research for a speech about video games. The percentage of hardcore female gamers might be lower compared to male, but no one should be surprised when the come across a female in a video game. I don't even see why people go goo-goo gaga when they come across one. I mean, isn't the world filled with them?

I kinda like it when girls get forceful, but that's another topic. XD I dunno what you're taking about OP. I've had girls in squad only a couple times (most of my raids and weeklies are with randoms) and it's never an issue. No one gets creepy, sexist, etc., and everyone just plays normally saying something when they need to.

Female gamers exist. I am a female gamer and most of the guys I've played with are cool. We're not unicorns, we're not all fat and ugly chicks with no lives....we're gamers just like you. We play right alongside you and we are just as dedicated to the game as any male.

Lmao yeeeeah being a girl in this game is freakin intense. Anytime I join a raid party with new people or a new person theres always someone who freaks out as soon as they hear my voice. To quote the most recent: "HOLY -blam!- ITS A GIRL?!!?" Lol I get a good laugh out of it, especially when the other guys are just like "omg so what its a girl stfu" As far as being harsh to get listened to though, i dont think thats a girl thing... People in general dont listen in vault unless you get stern, because theres a person everyone typically considers the leader and they will only follow that one person unless you get stern. And even tho guys definitely come on to us the message thing sounds like bullshit... If someone is being too aggressive she shouldnt have added them to her friendlist in the first place. Unless people hear you on mic they just assume youre another boy playing a girl char so shes doing something wrong if its that bad. 99% of the time ignoring it makes them disinterested. If not, thats what the block option is for c:

My group of friends and I are well known for having a "smart mouth" and low filter lol but were deff good people and fun to play with...however belle bunny founded "dames of destiny" which is an all female clan and she is actually on the guardian radio podcast! U should deff consider them according to her streams those girls seem to have a good time and an awesome group!

As a Hunter with access to throwing knife I typically have this thing I do when I play with girl gamers. Normally I go "Well I dont usually play with girl gamers so we are gonna have to change a few things." I then walk up to the girl and crouch with my face in their characters crotch. I then throw my throwing knife right there to simulate male genitalia and say "MAN UP!". Then I say "There we go, you're now a guy." Somehow it works because shortly after that the girl gamer is all of a sudden good at the raid. But don't think this makes me sound sexist as I do this to everyone, male or female. I just say "MAN UP!" and throw my knife at their crotch. It works like a placebo effect.

I wish more girls would play. In a demographic where we are seen as introverted losers, we should be excited. Further more, hello gamers girls have that hobby in common. Like wtf hello homerun off a pop in your lap silver spoon wrapped with ribbon smacked upside your head broad side of a barn no brainer straightforward doesn't get much easier. ~_~

Me with Girl in fire team: "Hey errr.. Guys there's a chest here..." *awkwardness ensues* Me with all guys in fire team: "WOOP WOOP LETS -blam!- THIS SHIT UP, THERES A -blam!-ING CHEST OVER HERE GET YO ASS OVER MOTHER-blam!-ERS..."

Liking the term white knight rofl . Never heard it before. Original poster is def white knighting and thirsty.

I love you female gamers. You give me hope that one day my girlfriend will be able to grind through strikes with me :/

Really bro? I would totally white knight for that gamer girl poon. Im sorry that was a bit rude. I kid.

Because the male gamers don't want their female character to have competition.

It's because most beardneck virgins have never touched a woman, so they believe that treating them like crap is "normal", and Tweens that treat them like crap are just dumbasses who's mothers never loved them. I have a couple lady gamers on my friends list, and they're pretty hardcore gamers. Here's the secret to enjoying playing a game with women, everyone ready? Treat them like a normal person, because in fact, they are. Respect each other, regardless of gender, because we're all here for the same reason, to play games and have fun. Or some people are here to troll, can't forget the trolls.

The issue seems to stem from the anonymity provided by the internet. Most of the people making ignorant comments wouldn't do it in person, & for the rest who would; society needs burger flippers....for now. On the flip side, any gamer being harassed should grow some stones, either report the issue, or move on. Are you (speaking in general) so weak-minded that a few comments are going to ruin your experience? Why do people feel that others comments about them constitutes validation of their self-worth? I've been told I'm an ass (once by my mother, although I had earned it) a few times. I agree that everyone should be treated the same, but until that utopian world happens, you have to make the best of what you've got until we get there.