Does anybody still want to do this?

Just throwing it back out there.

The “Naked” Blogging Double Standard
At just about every BlogHer event we end up discussing the ramifications of “naked” blogging; that is, blogging your true self. Blogging’s low barrier to entry has provided a platform for everyone, and particularly women, to tell our own stories, to create a more diverse cultural record than has been historically typical, and to own our experiences and how transparently we choose to share those experiences. Every blogger draws their boundaries differently. In a survey BlogHer conducted a couple of years ago bloggers indicated that it was more taboo to discuss finances on their blog than sex! But, let’s get real: Really? We’re not sure we’re buying it. Is anyone else out there blown away by how much conflict the issues of gender, sex and sexuality (and society’s expectations of how women “should” behave) still stir up… and by how much judgment is still thrown at women who ignore the admonishment that “nice girls don’t?”

Every year at BlogHer the debate rages: Can we talk about shoes and still be taken seriously? Well, let’s take it a step further: Can women talk openly about sex and still be taken seriously? And is it different for men? Women certainly don’t agree on the answer, so you can be sure the answer is even more unclear in segments of society, industry and the blogosphere that are more male-dominated. How do we challenge that status quo – and support women in their choices, even when they might not be our choices? Join Amber Rhea, one of the women leading the charge for change, in a frank discussion designed to expose the naked blogging double standard and challenge our preconceived notions of what it means to be taken seriously.

Sad because today would have been BlogHer Atlanta.

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Also, what a mixed bag it’s been today. Felt like a rockstar at work. But now… I don’t know, I think things from my past are haunting me. Or something. I just hope everything turns out alright. Sometimes I still can’t trust myself.

Oct 21 2008 09:11 pm | Category: Blog | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Does anybody still want to do this?”

  1. 22 Oct 2008 at 8:45 am   Ellie

    I think that this conversation still absolutely needs to happen and in a venue that *isn’t* already assumed sex positive.

  2. 22 Oct 2008 at 10:28 am   Amber

    Ellie, I completely agree w/ you that it’s important that this happen in a venue that’s not assume to be sex-positive. That’s how real change happens. It can be scary (believe me I know!) but we have to get out of the bubble. That’s why I’m glad I did the online identity session at BlogOrlando – and people seemed to have a very positive response to it!