That was an excellent speech by Cassie Jaye, and it certainly makes me interested in seeing the documentary, which I admit I hadn't heard of before, at least not that I recall. Thanks for sharing it, as well as some of your own story, which sounds like it might have some similarities with Cassie's story, although it doesn't sound like you were ever the sort of rabid feminist that she had apparently been.

As for how to approach your friends, perhaps a mix of suggestions from the first, third, and fourth options you've listed would be in order. It's a shame that you have already lost some friends over the issue, and, sadly, it is likely that you will lose more. I just hope that you've been making even more and better new friends since then, the kinds of friends that will not leave you just because you have a particular political or ideological difference of opinion.

Hello. I support the meritocratic approach - there are equal opportunities to succeed in life for everyone who has talent and works hard. This simple principle can solve not all but many problems, I think, without even mentioning gender.

Years ago It used to be much easier to debate the opposing side. We all grew up taking the same civics and history classes. While philosophies may have differed, the gap between the understanding of facts was fairly narrow. Today however with the enormous amount of mis-truths taught in schools and then pounded out daily by the MSM that gap is immense. With no understanding of The Constitution, of history, of what it means to be a patriot, it is very hard to find a close base of understanding on which to begin a productive conversation. What I do find is that my positions are well known to those around me. Many times I have had people come to me and ask questions. I am more than happy to have those discussions. I no longer seek them out though. Too many brick walls out there.