Hey, hi. I’d ask you how it’s going, but given the last couple of weeks I am going to assume that things could be going better. I have learned more in these past two weeks about the next-level shit that women deal with than I have in years. I don’t know how you manage to keep fighting this fight in the face of such vitriol. I only know that I am so very glad that you do.

I actually wrestled with writing this letter at all, because I think that right now, the best thing that men can do is to just listen to what women have to say. We have had the floor for so long, it is past time that we give someone else a chance to speak. That makes sense, right? Unfortunately, it seems that those who need to listen most are the ones who are raising an ugly, shitty ruckus.

We like to talk a lot about these people being just a vocal minority. We like to say that they are not representative of our hobby, and that the vast majority of us are well-adjusted, inclusive individuals. #NotAllMen, right? Well, that’s horse shit. If this supposed majority doesn’t speak up, then we might as well all be the frothing douchebags who are the root of this problem. We might as well be the ones making threats. Our silence condones this behavior. What kind of support can we offer if we never speak up?

So let’s stop being quiet. Let’s throw our support behind the Cara Ellisons, Leigh Alexanders, and Anita Sarkeesians of the world. Let’s have a discussion about the underrepresentation of minorities and women in games and gaming culture, and let’s do something about it. Let’s add our voice to the chorus asking for change and no longer allow the ignorant and immature to speak for us.

Because this stuff is important. Because everyone deserves to be treated like a person. Because someday, I may have a daughter who I want to share my hobby with, and I want her to be able to enjoy it without fear. Because the women who are speaking out right now are heroes, and they deserve our support.

I guess this ended up being more about what gentlemen such as myself can do to than anything else. In the end, I just want to show my support. I cannot stay quiet any longer. I hope that I am not the only one.

To the women of gaming, who have put up with so much for so long, you all have my profound thanks. Please never stop creating, never stop fighting. You are not alone.

To any other man who has been silent up to this point: it is time to speak up. Write letters, post blogs, do whatever you are in a position to do. Prove that we are as welcoming and inclusive of a community as we like to think we are.

Time to change.