I shoot with a local ladies club and we have ladies' (only) classes and monthly get togethers at a local range. The range owner is very supportive of us using the range, gives us a discount on port time and trains the RSOs to respect ladies and not talk down to us. We have women instructors and the men who are instructors are taught to listen and not talk down/talk over and generally act in a respectful manner. The owner is extremely conscious of his female and racial minority clientele as he wants the range to be welcome to all, regardless of gender or race. Being both a person of color and a woman it can be daunting to (no offense intended) wander into a sport/pastime/interest populated mostly by white men. Or at least you'll see that in the media.
Unfortunately the experience I've gotten at some other ranges is because I am a woman I get attitude as to whether I know anything about guns. One of my club's ranges the RSO is always telling me I should probably try a lighter caliber as the gun I am shooting is too big (!!!). For the record it was a .45ACP. And I can punch holes in a quarter at 25 yards.
Other things, let's see. Go into a gun shop and get asked if I want a gift certificate. Being shown everything pink (I don't like pink) as if pink magically transforms any item into a woman's.
But there are a lot in the community who will treat me like an equal. That is welcome. Honestly though, I do enjoy the ladies only get togethers because we can talk about stuff we don't talk with the guys about.
