Thanks for sharing some details of the experience, Dissident! This gives me greater hope as well - it's definitely a big step in the right direction.

Things will move faster if more of us can get involved with stuff like this. Gradually more and more people will take notice of the kinds of discussion that are taking place, and they will question their own deeply-rooted stereotypes about MAAs.

It's also encouraging to know that there are MHP's with the balls to do this kind of thing. They may someday prove invaluable help to non-online MAA's out there struggling with their situations.