I am sorry that you have experienced this kind of predujice. My dh has been quilting for about 12 years and has won many ribbons. Loves the competition...just like sports. He has been president of the local guild for three years. YET...the owner of the local quilt shop would not allow him to come to a sew-in simply because he is a man. She says that she can't understand how I allow him to quilt. This episode has created quite a difference of opinion among our local quilters.
Keep doing what you enjoy, and let the "bad" people live with their awful opinions.