The idea I'm= referring
to is the complete abolition of gender aesthetics or
the c= ategorical denial of any sort of "intrinsic"
differences in the sexes.

as for this - as a pragmatist, this is just totally impossible. maybe i'm not fully understanding what you mean erica....but i will always have boobs, a uterus, and more estrogen than testosterone. the fact remains that in my relationship with my fiance, it is I who will get pregnant, have the baby, and breast feed it. until we become a bunch of ambisexual or asexual beings, there is this problem of physical intrinsic differences that cannot be escaped, and certain things will just have to go with that, and while some may view that as fortunate, and others unfortunate, it is what it is. i think equality WITH our differences in mind makes more sense. i used to be all gung-ho about playing in co-rec soccer leagues. that is, until i consistently got beat up. there was the time i couldn't close my mouth for 4 days (yes, it was just hanging slightly open) because a guy probably around my age but with quads the size of my waist kicked a ball that hit me in the face. i still play, but i'm not so bold as i used to be. that's just an example, but in sports, in other things...certains will just be. and i'm ok with that as long as i can still play as much soccer as i want. or work wherever i want. or drink as much beer as i want. and watch as much sports as i do. or have sex with whomever i want, and NOT with whomever i don't want. i don't think any of these things require a rejection of the fact that there are differences between sexes.

Let's at least ag= ree the
problem exists and get on to some practical matters.

amen again! i don't have to believe in the above to throw my support behind these measures. in my mind, they're totally decoupled. but i'd bet you'd scare away a crapload of people who would support everything below by the language above.

ok, so maybe this isn't as short as i planned, but i'm done now.

lisa

&= nbsp;   I'll propose some starters.  Since gender<= br>discrimination is extremely difficult to destroy its
roots (though we should solider on there as well), I
think it makes = perfect sense to legislate greater
diversity as a short-term fix. &= nbsp;Advocates of equality
can also point out to wayward companies andinstitutions that their efficiency and bottom line are
positively affected by greater gender diversity (and
on average it i= s).  We should make it easier for women
to access resources th= at will enable them to
independently raise their children.  A = first step
could be raising the minimum wage and encouraging
quality daycare centers at work.  It is also important
tha= t everyone, especially those who can't afford a
fancy lawyer, have easy = access to the legal system so
they can prosecute and punish employers wh= o sexually
harass them or discriminate against them based on
gender.  = ;We should find whoever is paying women less
and make them suffer. = Legally.  We should do whatever
we can to stop the oppre= ssion of women
abroad--supporting international human rights
organizations etc.  We should stop talking as if we
*know*= what is inherently or intrinsically masculine
or feminine; as if it mat= tered; as if the debate is
even intelligible.  This language p= romotes harmful
gender stereotypes.  Psychological diseases such as
anorexia s= hould be handled openly and aggressively
treated just like any other med= ical disease--without
stigma or shame.  Everyone in the develo= ped world
should become vegan!  Ok, that last thing isn't real= ly
as pertinent.  Foreshadowing anyone?  Hehehehe.
= You get the idea.  Let the games begin.
Again, thank you for y= our endurance.  I'm having a
good time, I hope you are too.-Erica