I am very passionate about language. This is clearly what's driven me into the field I'm in and I have a deep hatred for language policing, which is why I made that point. It's one of the positions I hold to absolutely.

And thank you for sharing your response to my words. This essay took me weeks to write and revise and wrestle into shape. Sometimes it's hard to write about something I feel so viscerally.

I have no doubt that Benedict is coming from a very different position from me and in that position he is doing what is fair and respectful to the fans he is aware of. I don't know that he is imagining people like me. And this is part of the reason why I spoke up. Neither the media (which has latched on to the term Cumberbitch to mock and poke fun) or Benedict (who seems a bit worried for us) reflect what I am and certainly some other fans mean when we call ourselves this.

Thank you for reading and commenting.