Not because or in spite of... just

This is going to sound horribly self centered, but- hands down, one of the HUGE reasons that I fell in love with David is because he doesn't appreciate my knowledge and/or talents in spite of me being a woman, or think it more impressive because I'm a woman and he certainly doesn't discount any of that because I am a woman; he just appreciates my opinions and ideals and knowledge and experience and intelligence. Period. No gender assignment needed. He just thinks I'm smart and capable. Not because I am a woman or in spite of it.

There's never a conversation of "I'm so thankful you don't make emotional business decisions even though you're a woman" or "it's that much more sexy that you're a woman who understands and has a passion for finance and architecture."

Can we ALL try that? Because even I'm guilty of it and I AM a woman. Feminists, male and female- I charge you with fighting for EQUAL rights, not the leverage over men that a lot of you are fighting for. I personally don't want to be counted as more important or less than. I just want a place at the table. I just want the same things as other people doing the same things as me. No more. No less.