OTW Fannews: Defying Expectations

Fandoms have a variety of problematic behaviors, including how women's participation is welcomed. Sports marketer Amanda Curry complained about the nature of some efforts to reach out to female fans. "Despite their attempts to empower female fans, creating a program that perpetuates the stereotype that women know nothing about sports only further de-legitimizes the vast majority of us that do. Dumbing down sports for women not only makes us feel bad, but it allows others consistently treat us like we're dumb. This makes it harder to gain respect as a fan, and in my case, as a professional in the sports world...I am a female who works in the sports industry, and I know how it feels to have my opinion rejected just because I’m a woman."