I've been eroding the wall, partly thanks to AO3, which maddeningly makes it impossible to partition "pseuds" from one's main username or from one another. (Tumblr, same problem, with sideblogs unable to like/reply.) I was so careful for years, then it got to be too much of a hassle.
I feel very uneasy about the fact that determined Google searchers could now find me. Sometimes I think about deleting all my accounts and starting over with separate logins for each handle, but it's too late.
My Who fandom name is linked to my real name. My gamer fandom name is not. That's because Who fandom is welcoming of female fans at the "expert fan" level, whereas... well, you know what happens in gaming. I have a gender-neutral handle for a reason.
Which makes me suggest being very wary regarding Ladybusiness, especially since you're going to have more visibility with the Hugos. On the one hand, we shouldn't have to hide, but on the other hand, I think misogyny in gaming and nerd spaces is much more aggressive and open now than it was 15 years ago.
And I also think that as Trump continues to fan the fires of hate speech with impunity, that's not going to change. (Nor am I 100% confident this election is safe from gerrymandering and voter suppression, so I'm afraid there's a possibility he could continue fanning the flames past November.)
A pessimistic view
I feel very uneasy about the fact that determined Google searchers could now find me. Sometimes I think about deleting all my accounts and starting over with separate logins for each handle, but it's too late.
My Who fandom name is linked to my real name. My gamer fandom name is not. That's because Who fandom is welcoming of female fans at the "expert fan" level, whereas... well, you know what happens in gaming. I have a gender-neutral handle for a reason.
Which makes me suggest being very wary regarding Ladybusiness, especially since you're going to have more visibility with the Hugos. On the one hand, we shouldn't have to hide, but on the other hand, I think misogyny in gaming and nerd spaces is much more aggressive and open now than it was 15 years ago.
And I also think that as Trump continues to fan the fires of hate speech with impunity, that's not going to change. (Nor am I 100% confident this election is safe from gerrymandering and voter suppression, so I'm afraid there's a possibility he could continue fanning the flames past November.)