Felicia Day finally decided to speak out about #Gamergate, only to have her worst fears realized. The actress took to Tumblr on Wednesday to express her concern about the anti-feminist movement aimed at outspoken women in gaming. According to the Supernatural star (and noted gamer), she held back from commenting on #Gamergate, because she feared that as retribution, the trolls behind the movement would disseminate her personal information online — a practice known as "doxing."
"I realized my silence on the issue was not motivated by some grand strategy, but out of fear that the issue has created about speaking out,” she wrote.
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"Personally I am terrified to be doxxed for even typing the words 'gamergate.' I have had stalkers and restraining orders issued in the past, I have had people show up on my doorstep when my personal information was hard to get," Day added.
Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened.
Not long after her post, someone operating under the handle "gaimerg8" posted what he claimed was Day's address. The entire comment section has since been deleted.
Coming to Day's defense was former NFL star Chris Kluwe, who has been vocal about his disdain for #Gamergate in the past. "None of you fucking #gamergate tools tried to dox me, even after I tore you a new one," he tweeted. "I’m not even a tough target. "Instead, you go after a woman who wrote why your movement concerns her.”
If there was ever any doubt that those behind #Gamergate are specifically targeting women, today's doxing of Day (and the fact that Kluwe has continued to escape the wrath of trolls) should put that notion to rest. (The Guardian)