So here's the thing (and bare with me while I explain) I'm in a closed Facebook group called Nerdtopia, we've been around a long time and even spawned a website (That I wrote for) Podcasts and even a couple of songs. Over the years we've become more like one big international family and have even visited each other in other countries.
As with all things, some comments/jokes become the stuff of legend and many moons ago our Admin told us of his utter disdain for all things Steampunk. As is the tradition of the internet we all immediately started posting Steampunk memes along with pictures of him that had been Photo shopped. This led to the creation of Nerdtopias Rule No.1. All steampunk jokes at the expense of our admin must be paid for with a boob picture. It was written, set in stone and always enforced. Things were good for a long time! We had a laugh and every now and again someone would forget and make a steampunk joke which led to us all seeing some boobs. Now this rule applied to males AND females so don't go thinking we were being sexist because I've ended up posting topless pictures of me on more than one occasion ( I just cant help it when I have a good joke ready to go.)
Well today... It seems the assholes were around in number. A good friend of mine made a steampunk joke and immediately paid for her quip with a boob picture. Nothing pornographic and all very tasteful with her nipples covered ect. I swear to the Gods the first 6 comments were from guys calling her fat, pregnant, ugly, dissing her tattoo's and commenting on her stretch marks.
The group exploded, we all rallied round and stuck up for one of our own. I mean, where do assholes get off on trying to upset or body shame someone who has bravely chosen to share a picture of herself!? This is nothing new to our group and everybody knows it happens. Why all of a sudden pick on this girl? (Who btw is in no way fat and has some healthy curves, amazing tattoo work and awesome boobs!) Why do some guys think that trolling a girl and destroying her self esteem is something to be considered fun!? Needless to say when we checked, the guys doing the trolling had been added to the group months earlier but never posted anything or commented, it seemed like they were just lurkers waiting for a suitable victim. We kicked them from the group and went to work comforting the poor girl that they had destroyed.
The whole thing has made me sick and pissed off with humanity and I just couldn't help thinking that if they had done the same in here they would have been hung, drawn and quartered. I really hate that some people feel the need to belittle others and destroy their confidence with childish and hurtful comments.
Anyway, rant over and I hope that if you've experienced this sort of thing you haven't let it upset you too much.
