Hi I am a woman. I come on here a couple of times a year when Newsjack is on. I am on BCG for about 12 weeks a year and at those times I get into other threads. I will say that posts on BCG can be occasionally sarcastic but the sarcasm I have observed is not directed at female posters from what I can see. It could put people off, whatever the gender. It doesn't put me off but someone else may feel put off. Equally, that's part of life to a degree though - to have debate and banter. I have noticed the odd term being posted like 'she's got big tits'. This may be meant to be ironic but (just saying) it may be good to be mindful that people reading may feel a bit offended or intimidated etc. There was something else posted that I found slightly disturbing in terms of the humour. I do know that some people do push the boundaries of humour and move into areas of dark humour.
There is a little bit of a 'laddish' feel to some of these threads which is likely to happen if men mainly post. It could put women off posting to maybe put an opposing point of view. They may feel outnumbered!
Personally, I experienced a post which was rude and aggressive once which was taken down. Hard to say if it was directed at me as the poster had worked out if I was a woman and they may have been less likely to do it to a man. I think this may have been an element of it but it was only part of the motivation. Anyway, that is done and dusted now. You are always going to get the occasional thing like this, though. The main thing is - it seems to me that it is only occasional.
I personally am of the view - be welcoming and friendly to all if possible.
