In an effort to get this thread back on track, I think women @ tournaments (possibly gaming in general) is similar to women in the military. In the beginning, it's strange and weird because it's not a part of the accepted norm. But once more women like
Goldfish and others start coming out and showing that "girl gamers" are no different from "boy gamers", I think the novelty and the discomfort will dissipate and women won't have to hide their hobbies similar to a teenage boy sneaking his dad's porn collection.
From what I've read about the preparations Goldfish makes when she goes to tournaments is spot on I think. She is not afraid to show her love for her game, but she is smart about it. She doesn't go alone, has a clear-cut idea of what is and isn't acceptable behaviour, always has a back-up plan in case things go sour and (from what I've read on the forums since I've never met her) is a really kool person. She's not one of those "Lookit what you'll never get to touch" or man-hating mega-beeyatches that want to "castrate" men by beating them at their own game. She's just fun to sit and play games with and I think that supercedes any gender lines.
And for the record, I think that @KayaneFR gets treated like that everywhere she goes. I don't know anything about her, but I can see her not being able to go to too many places without an "entourage"....
