You walk into the room before the panel begins.
You give your friend who is speaking a hug and find a seat in the back.
Out of the way. Inconspicuous. Today isn't about you.
You look around as the room fills with almost all women.
This makes sense. The event is called "Women in Tech – How to Become".
Upon further observation, you realize you're the only man in the room.
You wonder if people are questioning why you're here. To find a date? As a recruiter? A Communist spy? What are your motivations?
No one says anything to you, but you feel self-aware. Like you don't quite belong. Like maybe you shouldn't be here.
The event begins. The panelists are amazing. Empowering. Vulnerable. Confident.
The event ends. You say bye to your friend and leave as women begin to mingle.
You wonder why more men didn't come. They might have gotten a sense of what it's like to be the only.
The only woman in a board meeting. The only Black engineer on the team. The only non-binary person without a bathroom to use. The only person with a same sex partner.
Today you were the only man in a room full of women.
The difference? You chose to put yourself in this situation.
You realize that most people who are the only don't have that privilege.
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