Why is it that whenever I tell someone I am a feminist...?

Question

Why is that whenever I mention to anyone who is male that I am a feminist they assume that I am a lesbian? I think its absolutely appalling that I get that reaction!! I am a straight strong-willed women who is getting married but that has nothing to do with what I believe in. Lesbians, women, independant hardworking women, we are all the same in wanting to believe in womanhood. What are your thoughts?

Let me state something before I get anymore hateful things said. I am a member of the habitat for humane society, an activist for marine wildlife and an advocate to victims of crimes, so just bc I said that I was a feminist does not make me at all just that.

Answer 1

Simple, have a look at what the leaders of feminism have to say:

"The simple fact is that every woman must be willing to be identified as a lesbian to be fully feminist" (National NOW Times, January, 1988).

"Feminism is the theory, lesbianism is the practice." -- Ti-Grace Atkinson

"Since marriage constitutes slavery for women, it is clear that the women's movement must concentrate on attacking this institution. Freedom for women cannot be won without the abolition of marriage." -- Sheila Cronin, the leader of the feminist organization NOW

"We can't destroy the inequities between men and women until we destroy marriage." -- Robin Morgan

"All sex, even consensual sex between a married couple, is an act of violence perpetrated against a woman." -- Catherine MacKinnon

"All men are rapists and that's all they are" -- Marilyn French, Authoress; (later, advisoress to Al Gore's Presidential Campaign.)

NOW, is the representative body for feminists, as in if you are a feminist activist you will be supporting what NOW supports at the end of the day.

All of these women without exception claimed that they were all about equality at other times. Neither these statements nor the biased laws they helped instate indicate a belief in any sort of equality. People have simply stopped listening to them when they say anything of the sort.

Same thing goes for lesbianism, you really think actions like making marriage unworkable by instatement of extreme divorce laws, or making heterosexual sex unworkable by instatement of extreme rape laws is the work of a heterosexual movement?

Answer 2

Well, no.

Feminists are people who understand that females are human (and not lesser, or property, etc.).

You seem to assume that feminists are all women. There are men who have a clue.

Why the bad reaction to the word?

The wingnuts have made an assault on the word 'feminist' and a lot of people have bought their line of garbage.

BTW, I'm not particularly strong willed. But I'm a feminist and a woman. You're confusing many different things with your list.

You must know only Neanderthal males; most men I know are feminists.

Or at least understand the difference between feminism and lesbianism.

Sounds like all the boys you know can't handle real women. Ignore them.

Answer 3

I think that people are afraid of what they don't understand and alot of people, men and women, just don't get it. It doesn't help that there is a fraction of the women's movement which does believe that women should live their lives without men because they are evil or whatever. I think that's nonsense and many other feminists would agree with me but it is easier for people to dismiss the whole thing by saying lesbians or man haters. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
I agree with you and believe in womanhood and also in sisterhood .There is a pride that comes from seeing women accomplish great things because we are also women You are doing a number of important things and that's wonderful but there was a time when women couldn't do the things that we take for granted now. Maybe your not just a feminist but maybe you do those other things because you are a feminist. Peace and Good Luck and don't be defensive it's good to be a feminist.

Answer 4

The second wave of feminism was started back in the late 60's/early 70's by a group of man-hating lesbians...that might have something to do with why some think that all feminists are lesbians (and hate men). But it is also true that there is a proportionately high percentage of feminists that are lesbians and an even higher proportion that hate men. Women (and lemming men) who don't fit either of these two categories would be best advised to stear clear of naming themselves feminists for these and other reasons. I suggest you get another name for yourselves becuase the label "feminist" is tainted in the above described manner. If you are truly about seeking equal opportunity and such, you will better achieve your goals by distancing yourself from the term "feminist".

Answer 5

Well its assumed because of the attitude some feminists have about the role men play. A man is not a woman, and a woman is not a man, we each bring different things to the table. If you are just someone who supports equal rights, then most people really do not have a problem with women having rights. Most people just dont like anyone who is "in your face" about something.

Answer 6

Because lesbians of all women are the most likely to be involved 100% in feminism with no doubts and no holds barred. To most straight women feminism is a 2 edged (?) sword. Yes the idea of having a high paying job sounds nice to them but they also want a man with a good job and feminism means men have to compete with women for that good job, so in the end there are less men with good jobs to pick from and for most straight women its a problem. Lesbians however have no such restraints, when you ask them men cant give up enough to women ever.

Answer 7

Like Carlos Mencia said once:

If you want equality, I'll give you that.
If you want to be treated specialy, I'll give you that too.
But don't go mixing the two up whenever it works out for you!

I am not a woman hater, I have a girlfriend I love very much and
will never mistreat her, cheat on her, scold her, beat her, abuse her, make her do anything against her will or leave her be when she needs me. I am always there for her.
I do not find her inferior to me. But i do give her special treatment because she is diffrent.
Woman and Men are diffrent in the core of their being.
Mens bodies are better structured for combat and physical labour.
Female bodies are well structured for survival and child conceivement.
Men have a stronger left brain making them better logical thinkers while most woman have a better right brain function
making them more creative.
Men don't get menstal cycles, women get to have multiple orgasms in a row.
And the list is much much longer.
Neither men nor woman is better, but they are diffrent.
And thus indeed men are better at one thing and woman are better at another.
I decline feminism not because i hate women. but because
i think it is foolish to say they are the same or that either one
is better.
- The best female fighter shall never surpass the best male
fighter simply through the shape of body.
- The best male writer shall never write a better story than the
best female writer, simply because women have a better
functioning right brain for creativity.
Simple truth. Denile is foolish.
I find feminism wrong because it is a bunch of woman who are trying to prove they can be men. Whitch is stupid because they would be better off being a woman.

When a woman says she wants to be equaly treated at work she meand : I want to be equaly paid.
Not : Equaly treated.
Because when we do that......they send us to sensitivity training.
:P
Think about it...it's true.

Answer 8

Why do you feel compelled to label yourself. I believe actions speak louder than words. While I am a heterosexual male I believe in the equality of the genders, should I label myself a feminist? If the label is causing the problem why don't your create or adopt a label that is better understood. How about a humanist, or an equalist. Better that you pick a label that allows you to explain what it is than a label that others will erroneously interpreted.

Answer 9

I support you 100% and I am glad you spoke up. I am a feminist and I am proud to be lesbian. But I can testify that the vast majority of good feminist men and women are straight. This is not a gender movement, it is a people's movement for justice.

Answer 10

You should call yourself an egalitarian, not a feminist. I'm a man and I believe in equal rights for everyone, not special rights for women (which is why feminists believe I'm sexist, even though I'm obviously not).