unknown, lesbian,etc.

[Cindy Hale]

I was glad to see I wasn't the only one who had a negative reaction to the 
first response recieved from "unknown" asking to start an interaction.  I 
thought the responder read a lot into that short paragraph.  While I think 
the responder was trying to be empathetic, instead she really belittled 
tha concerns and problems faced by lesbians in both science and the world 
at large by implying that they are basically the same as those faced by 
all people and women. I am a heterosexual woman who has faced many 
obstacles in my career and education.  While my lesbian friends and I 
share a great deal in terms of problems faced, I could never say thier 
obstacles are the same as mine.  Their's are unique even if there are some 
shared commonalities between us.
I have chosen to send this publically rather than to the respondent 
because I believe it is a issue that we as women must come to terms with 
and be willing to speak openly about.  It is not intended as a personal 
attack on the responder but as a critique which hopefully will lead to 
a additional thought on the issue.
P.S.  To unknown, It sounded to me like you wanted to connect with others 
out here in netland and not start controversy.  Welcome   CHale