Cobi, I am in total agreement with your statements about not wanting to participate in the discussion about gender bias if such participation is not part of the solution. I am very new to Wikipedia and I have not made many edits although I have spent countless hours reading circular tutorials and policy rules and statements in an effort to some feeling that I knew what the heck I was trying to do. 
 I strongly believe that systemic changes are needed in order to support all editors. If all groups are solicited and all participants are "held by the hand" while they are getting started as an editor, I think that would go a long way towards building relationships and decreasing the phenomenon of disappearing editors. 

 I see what you mean about the 'the' and the page that you posted gave me a good laugh. 

 Regards,