Warning: this comment includes a brief reference to abuse/assault. If you may be triggered by this, please be careful. Otherwise, please don't feel bad about it - I have worked very hard to build my life back up from this experience, and the last thing I want is sympathy.

I think this article is on-point and very important. I am another one that "broke up" with the anarchist community in my city. Really, there probably are a lot of us - people who are let down by the anarchist community in small and large ways and drift off or break up. For some, it is probably just moving on to other interests or commitments - for others, like the author above, it is more serious.

While I had many similar issues with the anarchist community - male-dominated consensus meetings, lack of direction and organization, lack of shared responsibility, etc., I was ultimately "dumped" by the anarchist community more than I "broke up" with it. During my time in the anarchist "community" I was involved in a relationship with a male anarchist that was controlling, manipulative, and that I ultimately left after an incident of sexual assault. When I left that relationship, I did not trust the anarchist community to support me. I had seen how they had handled similar situations, and could not deal with going through that. I left because I felt I had no other options. My experience is not unique, and the voices of survivors of all genders matter.

I think it is incredibly important that authors like the one above share their experiences. It needs to be recognized that for those of us who have been fundamentally let down by the anarchist community, our experiences are valid. Many of us are still participating, while dealing with experiences of being excluded, betrayed, of having needs go repeatedly unmet, of being told that you didn't matter. The reasons why we may avoid a demonstration, an anarchist space or a public event are complex. It may be less intellectual snobbery and more that, sometimes, I just can't. For the record, it feels terrible when that isn't considered.

I will also add that I agree with the conclusion that community organizing is extremely important and valuable work and that, on the whole, anarchists benefit from participating in community organizing (and, community organizing benefits from anarchists!). For me, I have also found value in participating in an anarchist organization, and am ultimately glad that I took that step. While we are male-dominated, I and other women are working hard to challenge and improve this. I have also challenged male members on sexist behaviour in the past, and have always found the response to be prompt, respectful and thoughtful. These experiences have slowly built my confidence in my organization and myself. I think there is a greater sense of long-term commitment and accountability, which offers a more comfortable stability to the organization. A lot more work is still needed.

I understand the position of deeply identifying with anarchism, but feeling excluded from anarchist action. I believe it is possible to create anarchist organizations that can welcome and support those of use who have broken up with the community, and hope that anarchist organizations will continue to work to understand and respond to these complex issues.