Are Emoticons For Women Only?

This author seems to think the answer may be ‘yes’:

“If you asked me whether it should be acceptable for a woman to use any mannerism or affectation that society considers to be “masculine,” I would vehemently argue “Yes! Of course!”. Because women should be able to do anything men do.

But if you caught me off-guard and asked me whether I would date a guy who uses emoticons, I would unhesitatingly reply with a curt: “Ew. No.” (I even wrote about men who use emoticons disparagingly in this post.)”