I couldn't agree more with Ms. Harding and other posters about how wrenching this subject is. I too endured a tremendous amount of bullying and abuse throughout my childhood and teen years, and even occasionally as an adult, as a result of my weight, my poor athletic abilities, and my interest and talent in things like writing, music and theatre.

But I'd like to use this as a jumping-off place to raise a bigger question: Why is this subject being discussed in "Broadsheet" at all? It's not about women (lesbians are not mentioned; "Broadsheet" presumably does not assume all homosexuality as part of its portfolio). In fact, as Ms. Harding makes explicit, it's about the complicated relationship boys and men have with themselves, each other, and the confusing and volatile social pressures revolving around norms of masculinity and sexual identity. Some of these issues have analogs for girls and women, of course, but I think this piece makes clear that the male hemisphere is its own mysterious territory, fraught with peril.

For this reason, I'd like to publicly call on Salon and Joan Walsh to introduce a counterpart blog to "Broadsheet" -- about men's issues.

I'm not suggesting this simply as a tit-for-tat exercise. Although "Broadsheet" can be wildly uneven in quality and lucidity (depending largely on who's writing a given post), it has provided a valuable forum for issues in women's lives to be raised and examined in bright light, both by women and by men (and I, for one, am grateful for the opportunity and education).

I've been feeling more and more lately, though, that male Salon readers are in need of a similar service. I've seen a lot of reductionism, oversimplification, bias and simple meanness in the comments on this blog (and sometimes in the posts). I can only imagine that providing a blog to get perspective on some of the problems men cope with in our society, like those touched on in this most recent post, would be invaluable for both men and women, for the same reasons I've appreciated "Broadsheet."

So what do you say, Ms. Walsh? Ms. Clark-Flory? Ms. Traister? Ms. Harding, et al.? Would you consider creating a "Broadsheet" about men's issues?

I invite commenters to weigh in with their opinions on this question -- although I'd be grateful if we could dispense with the "you already have the whole media!" stuff. The issues I'm talking about discussing are not ones discussed in the media at large, so that objection isn't relevant here, I think.

Thanks,

H

oh for God's sake Hotspur

If they post on women's issues, our freaked out regulars say, why didn't you talk about this men's issue? And if they do post about a boy/man issue, you're outraged or something that's it's under Broadsheet.

Talk about lose/lose.

Wowsers. Who said I was freaked out, or outraged? I think I was very clear in my appreciation for the role "Broadsheet" serves -- although I think it's best served when it's defined as raising issues of importance to women for discussion among everyone (not just women). And I hope I was equally clear in my appreciation for the treatment of this issue in particular.

My point was simple, unthreatening (sigh that I have to reiterate that), and not defensive in the slightest. It recognized the value of "Broadsheet's" mission; pointed out that the particular issue posted on here isn't exactly a fit with that mission (while nonethless being self-evidently discussion worthy); and suggested that perhaps that fact, among others, pointed to a need as yet unmet on Salon. All pretty tame and friendly, if you ask me, ReganaD. Not sure why you're blowing up at me.

And regarding the suggestion made by others that maybe what would be even better is a blog on gender issues for everyone, male, female, gay, lesbian, transgendered, confused -- that sounds to me like not only a great idea but a highly progressive one. (Not to mention one I haven't seen executed anywhere else.)

The main thing that idea has going for it, I think, is that it implies a community of people who all acknowledge that their issues with gender roles, identity, prejudice, etc., are all interconnected -- that there is commonality in our differences, if you will. Striving to uncover and better understand that commonality strikes me as a highly worthy goal, and though I suppose some might be inclined to see it as somehow implicitly demeaning their own specific set of issues, I'd find that an unfortunate and short-sighted view.

So yeah, supporters of the all-purpose gender issues blog idea, I'm on board with you.

(And ReganaD, I hope the rest of your day is a happier one.)

Now let's see her break into the pros -- that would be awesome! (And the Mets' rotation could use the help.)

Wow, Sonofloud, you must be a lot of fun at parties.

I'm not going to get into the content of Mr. Kamiya's arguments. I just want to throw in that I think he's been a consistently thoughtful voice analyzing these issues, from both personal and socio-cultural perspectives, for some time now on Salon. I, for one, appreciate it. Highly thought-provoking stuff, agree or disagree.

You're a heroine and a role model. Thanks for fighting the good fight.

(And while we're on the subject of Paul Campos, feel free to blog about his article on the effect of fat-hate on the Supreme Court search at http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-04/fat-judges-need-not-apply/ .)