I’m a cis male and I believe in the importance of feminism, but I hesitate to call myself a feminist because it seems like there is a presumption of understanding women’s experiences as if I was part of the Me Too movement. In some binary sense given how hateful and shitty men can be I’m absolutely a feminist, but I wouldn’t declare myself to be one. What is your standpoint?
Absolutely, but I also think it’s not enough to just say you’re this or that, you have to act on it. And Imho a lot of people’s feminism starts and ends at declaring themselves feminist.
Of course I would and I do. I find the arguments that there are many branches of feminism to be a reason to not consider yourself a feminist to be kind of ridiculous. There are multiple branches of everything. Not all anarchists agree, not all socialists agree, not all communists agree. No group is a monolith with perfectly aligned values and thoughts.
I think modern feminism does more harm than good, since it is what makes separation visible in the first place. Since I view separation as the root of virtually every problem in human history, I would therefore consider myself a “humanist” who views all people—regardless of gender, skin color, origin, or other characteristics that could serve to create separation—as equal. We must overcome this division.
I agree about avoiding knighting ourselves with the title of feminist because it’s absolutely something some aggressors use to lower their target’s guard, and because it’s easy to call yourself something to gain social standing and then not deliver when the time comes
Otherwise absolutely do read feminist theory and act according to feminist convictions. Doing so without making it about yourself being one of the good one only makes it better
Yes 100% bc the literal definition of feminism is the equal treatment for all genders. I don’t go around just telling people that. They can probably just tell I am bc I’m not shitty to a specific gender…
In my humble enby opinion you can call yourself a feminist if you believe in equality between genders. There are many flavours of feminism and they often contradict each other. You will never be a perfect feminist in every feminists’ eyes. And you shouldn’t try to be.
But be humble and curious when other feminist and particularly women try to explain their point of view.
I don’t know.
My concern was always about showing respect to others, regardless of gender. I want for others what I want for myself.
I grew up surrounded by womens and, as a kid, I heard horrible stories about men behaviour but also heard countless dismissals from women to women about those same male behaviours.
As a teen, I became so concerned of my existence as a man, I went so deep into neutral and non threatning territory I had girls telling me I was being flirted with because otherwise I wouldn’t notice nor correspond. I was quick to point out bad attitude/behaviour from guys towards girls as well, which did not make me popular with my peers.
As an adult, I started working under the supervision of women. No concern, no friction. I did became extremely aware how women would easily create and maintain terrible and damaging relations between them, for futile reasons. Even today, where I work at, where the majority of responsability roles are women, the way even polite conversations are held are laced with tension.
I reached a point where I act in accordance to my conciousness. I loathe disrespect, I get revolted by hearing anyone talk less of others. And I am learning to call others on their words and actions, regardless of gender.
I do recognize a lot of violence, of all kinds, is still enacted upon women because they are women, solely, but I am also aware a good deal is still dismissed and even abided by other women.
Hard yes. If you believe in equality and justice what the fuck else would you be?
Though, I suppose there are those that don’t… They can fuck off
Would you call yourself a feminist?
Yes.
Anyway the “shaming men for being feminists”/“only women can be feminists” thing is absolutely a thing the fascists have peddled to cripple feminism.
I think the whole appeal of feminism for me, is the questioning and evaluation of rigid gender structures. I’m not sure if it’s my place to call myself a feminist or not (since I’m non-binary). But I do think that feminism and queer issues are contiguous.
Yes, of course. I don’t feel the need to lead with it unprompted because that’s not where I focus my attention in terms of advocacy, but:
- Anyone who isn’t a male chauvinist is a feminist by process of elimination
- As a bicycling advocate, feminism comes with the territory because biking was a big part of the women’s lib movement back in the Victorian era. (Quick explainer, deeper dive)
No. I would not. I don’t like the label - but I’m in no way opposed to their position. Rather smugly I’d like to claim I’m an egalitarian.
No I’m not a feminist.
Feminism has had several waves with varying ideology behind it and I definitely don’t agree with all of the ideals espoused by feminists.
I’m a humanist egalitarian which better describes my position.
I think in the purest sense yes, a general platform of equality for genders.
However I’m growing increasingly cynical and wary of continuing to advocate more in this direction. Not that it’s inherently wrong, it’s that the movement has been co-opted by the capitalists. Very swift to make sure women still bear all of their responsibilities, now also must enter the workforce in order to make a combined living family income. Yet no additional social supports. Men’s gender roles changing in society, but absolutely no future planning or accommodation for what men are supposed to change into, or what role to take.
We are slaves and I think it’s always important to remember that. We get the scraps we’re allowed. And all of the forward progress isn’t as forward as we want to self-smugly believe. We are still being played as the underclass.
When I thought of myself as a cis man I considered myself a feminist, but I didn’t call myself one. Maybe I would’ve if someone asked directly, but no one ever did. Mostly there wasn’t any reason to say so that wasn’t performance; better to act and think in accordance with the principles than conspicuously claim it.





