I get that Tony. Not making friends with someone who isn't verified for example makes sense as they may not be who they say they are. Making friends with those who have subscribed allows greater interaction and encourages the support of ANW - we need all the subscribers we can get - as it is vital to allow ANW to grow and exist. But not making friends because someone's partner isn't a naturist - that is pretty tough. Yes I do not think we should make friends without some sort of feeling that you actually want to get on with the person, on some social media people just befriend anyone without any thought, and you don't always have to be best buddies with those that you befriend. We all have different levels of friendships/connections/relationships in the 3D world too. But I do feel that people should be open to a broad base of connections, while at the same time looking as making closer connections with a select few that are maybe in your same situation, mindset or whatever. 

I remember once an LGBQT women joined ANW, subscribed and was verified, and on her profile she wrote that she wanted no communication with men and for none to contact her or try to befriend her, that is of course her choice, but there was something very negative in her approach, and I felt that she would not find a home here, and I was right, she left shortly afterwards. This idea that 50% of our community is not to be trusted is just wrong. Sadly I feel the attitudes and messages shown on social media posts such as the one I mentioned a couple of days back in this thread simply encourage such belief. The idea that women are not treated with inclusion and also the idea that they need safe spaces is the wrong message to send out. 

There is an idea that these trendy supportive approaches towards aspects of our society are helpful and positive, but the reaction I am seeing in society, and from almost everyone I speak to, is that it is doing damage and harm and creating wounds rather than healing. 

Real positivity is not found in creating barriers but found in knocking down barriers, and one of the things about naturism that I love is the removal of the clothing barrier is also a removal of emotional barriers, I feel naturism should be selling that to people and not trying to "cash in" on modern fear, paranoia and hatred. We will never encourage more women to become naturists if we start off with the idea that naturism is basically not safe for them unless they are hidden away from lecherous, evil, pestering men. 

Many women become naturists through meeting male naturist partners, or through becoming naturists as a couple, this was done in an environment of trust and equality, this is naturism.