you know what really makes women distance themselves from the FSF? making up stories about how dangerous it is there. in human history, women have plenty of reasons to worry about unwanted advances from men, and unfounded rumors are more than enough for women to justifiably avoid placing themselves at risk. self preservation comes first! a woman who doesn't know the rumors are false would have no reason to take the risk.

now, richard is neurodivergent, he can't read emotions from people's faces and body language like I'm told neurotypical people can do. unable to guess whether someone might be interested in going on a date with him, he asks politely. I can imagine that some women might be indignant. how dare he?, after she gave him so many hints that she wasn't interested. the mistake is to assume he got those hints. I and many other neurodivergent people know how that feels. taking offense for someone's asking politely is unfair and, IMHO, intolerant to neurodiversity.
I guess most people, who live neurotypical lives, can't even imagine how hard it is to not have this sixth sense that enables them to take hints, clues and whatnot. I don't blame them for their ignorance, but I do resent that they attribute to malice or disrespect the lack of this sixth sense. they can have empathy and compassion for a blind person who can't help bumping on them by accident, why not for someone who's a different kind of blind?