Emma, as often your post is very touching and deeply though-provoking — too much to respond to in any depth, so I will just say, Thank you.

But I might offer one point. I suspect you are not particularly challenged by the retort that you are an ugly man-hater, but just in case: realize that this is an example of what is called in logic and debating an “ad hominem” argument– attacking or criticising the speaker, rather than addressing the point being raised by him or her. Looked at closely, it is in reality an admission that the point is a good one, a strong one, and can’t be countered in any other way than by casting aspersions on its source or motivation.