Snowflakes recently posted an idea about changing the name League of Gentlemen Riders to something with a more gender neutral name... and I figured I should comment.

While I like the idea of a more gender neutral word, I honestly spent quite some time trying to come up with a gender neutral one before finally giving up and deciding to go with this name. I just couldn't come up with any compact, pleasing, meaningful gender neutral names. The specific suggestions of "gentle riders" or "gentle people" just doesn't conjure up the same image. Ignoring the gender issue for a moment, the concept of "gentleman" evokes a certain charming, noble, cerebral, urban yet still rugged, antiquated/vintage something. And gentle riders or gentle people just conveys (to me at least) the idea of riders who are literally gentle (delicate, soft, etc.), which isn't the same. And part of my justification for figuring "Gentlemen" was close enough to right, despite the gender, was because no matter how inclusive I make the name, the vast majority of people in the group will always be male, given that most motorcycle/scooter riders are male.

I am open to alternative name ideas, and I'll certainly seriously consider any that deliver on the meaning/feel I'm trying to convey. So, post 'em if you got 'em, but know I'm discinclined to change the name unless the new one is really so much better.

Quinxy

If you are the originator of the group, or have been a member for long I think you are entitled to name it whatever you want. I don't feel specially threatened or left out since I am a newcomer and I knew how it is called... You are a man, and you will never know how we feel when we have to be named by a male adjective because there is always a reason to keep things “the way they have always been”.

I will probably never join you because you probably ride bigger motorcycles and I am not a good rider yet and my participation will be virtual over the Internet so it is not important how I feel about the name. It just popped out at me, that there was an implicit invitation, yet the name is for males. So, my suggestion can remain just that and you will be fine calling yourselves gentlemen --which is a great thing, no doubt. There is a lack of them everywhere so I celebrate the name and the image it projects. Good for you all and all the women who meet you!

It intrigued me that it was said that females were encouraged to join, but the name remains male oriented and the assumption that you will probably have more men than women in the group, does not really make sense, since, after all,if you invite them, they will go. I have seen other female groups that I could meet with but will not, but your name really caught my enthusiasm. Who wouldn't want to ride with gentlemen as opposed to rough men? There are many ways to entice.

I will remain a fan, no doubt. I will want to see all the photos and rides you ride and hopefully, some day, you will have a 50-50 membership. I am more of a sedentary woman that likes to live through pictures.

Be happy, just be happy and enjoy life!

Hi Snowflakes, I feel compelled to post a reply, but it is more a statement of personal philosophy.
Each of us chooses how we will live our lives. We have the choice to embrace our experiences with sadness, joy, anger or any other emotion. How we live is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. I have chosen to experience, to grab for things that seem to be just a little bit out of reach and to try to make them my own. I began riding at the age of 73 and immediately rode from LA to Montana and back. 3000 miles. Solo. Loved every minute of it. I learned to fly airplanes man years ago (haven't done it for a long time now), learned scuba diving, made a parachute jump and have gone hunting on three continents. I have enjoyed everything I've ever done, work, play, up and down times. I have also lived through pictures, books and the stories of others. But one thing that stands out for me is I can't change others...all I can do is change how I view them. I have chosen to view life as a challenge, as filled with adventure and excitement and lots and lots of fun. I like the name of this group, it speaks to me as it seems to have spoken to you. I would not change you but would offer the suggestion that by joining you have opened the door to your own adventure. Who knows what it may bring. Come, ride with us. Bill.

Snowflakes, I appreciate your response. I had a couple of quick thoughts...

It intrigued me that it was said that females were encouraged to join, but the name remains male oriented and the assumption that you will probably have more men than women in the group, does not really make sense, since, after all,if you invite them, they will go....hopefully, some day, you will have a 50-50 membership.

I would love it if it were possible to have such a group with an even mix of women and men, but I don't think that's possible or realistic, solely because motorcycles (and scooters) are far more commonly owned by males. According to recent stats of the Motorcycle Industry Council 88% of motorcycle owners are male. I could find no stats on the scooter ownership by gender but I'm sure more males own scooters as well (though probably with somewhat less of a disparity in the percentage between genders). So trying to create a group that defies those ratios would take a pretty serious effort, and probably require me enforcing limits on male membership. I can't really afford that time or effort at this point, noble as the goal might be.

And you're probably not aware of this, but for the first year and some of this group's existence its name was in fact gender neutral. It was the "League of Ego-Free Motorcyclists". And I chose that name (despite preferring others, in particular the current name) because I really did want a gender neutral name. But that name was just too inelegant, too obvious and clumsy, and I just couldn't take it any more! The ratio of women joining before the name change seems to be about the same as after, so I doubt reverting to a gender neutral name would improve the ratio. There are just many more men with two wheeled conveyances.

You are a man, and you will never know how we feel when we have to be named by a male adjective because there is always a reason to keep things “the way they have always been”.

I'm not sure how I can constructively respond on this point. You are correct. I do not know that particular feeling. I do, however, know other frustrations, other feelings of unfair limitation, and other unreasonable gender-based expectations. And I try to use those as a guide to appreciate other's points of view, and act in a way that improves everyone's equality. But I may get it wrong sometimes.

If a name was to be suggested that I felt was equally good, or the gender ratio of the group was more balanced, or I find that many other members feel as strongly as you do about this, I would revise the name. I'm just not sure how likely any of those are to occur.

Quinxy

I have been hesitant to weigh in on this topic since although I joined back in the “League” days I have not yet had an opportunity to ride with the group. Since someone else has put their effort into the group I don’t feel comfortable questioning their choices.
I really liked what the old name said about the group but agree it did seem quite cumbersome. Being female the “gentleman” title doesn’t thrill me but certainly isn’t a deal breaker. I like the idea of riding with gentlemen much better than I do the Women of Harley.
As stated women that ride are a minority. I think the best way to represent ourselves is to get out and ride, not worry about what we are called or what others think about our choices.

Don't take me seriously, cause I don't either! I think you are perfectly fine with the name. It was just fleeting tini tiny thought... I said it, I would LOVE to ride with the gentlemen, when I can! I am free to leave and I haven't, so that should say a lot about how important the name is at the end of the day.

You are entitled to name it as your heart dictates and I do know we are less in quantities, but if you have a bunch of children in a classroom, both male and female you do not call it a class for girls. You call it a class for kids, independently of ratio. I really feel awkward that this seems to be taking some energy out of our days, and I don't want it to. I apologize if I seem to be pushy, I am very conservative, timid in person face to face and the least I want is to disrupt the peace. Lets put it to rest friends! I just want to see pictures of your rides and meetings, that's all. :-)