A note:

Just because some of us seemingly don't conform to what the beauty industry thinks we should look like, does not mean there is no pressure on us. Yes, having a job where no-one cares what you look like because they're interested in what's in your head is handy. However, there still pressure on us to look feminine. Professional and respectable, but still feminine.

Please don't be insulting by claiming there is a) no pressure on us and b) because there's none on you and you can afford to not give a shit, we should do the same thing, even if it might (or in some cases will) jeopardise what we've worked hard for to achieve.

I hate to play it, but by god, if you give me enough of a reason I will take out my gender card* and stuff it up a few choice orifices with the use of a very big stick**.

*Which is, yes, pink and incidently laminated so your blood will easily wash off.

** A pretty blue stick with sparklies. And a blade.

ETA: Right. The reason I hate to play the gender card? I never quite pull off 'slightly irate, yet reasonable feminist'. Instead I zoom right on to 'Oh shit, rabid feminazi. Run!.'

I'm reasonable, honest. I shall put the sparkly stuff away now and promise to play nice.

A note:

Just because some of us seemingly don't conform to what the beauty industry thinks we should look like, does not mean there is no pressure on us. Yes, having a job where no-one cares what you look like because they're interested in what's in your head is handy. However, there still pressure on us to look feminine. Professional and respectable, but still feminine.

Please don't be insulting by claiming there is a) no pressure on us and b) because there's none on you and you can afford to not give a shit, we should do the same thing, even if it might (or in some cases will) jeopardise what we've worked hard for to achieve.

I hate to play it, but by god, if you give me enough of a reason I will take out my gender card* and stuff it up a few choice orifices with the use of a very big stick**.

*Which is, yes, pink and incidently laminated so your blood will easily wash off.

** A pretty blue stick with sparklies. And a blade.

ETA: Right. The reason I hate to play the gender card? I never quite pull off 'slightly irate, yet reasonable feminist'. Instead I zoom right on to 'Oh shit, rabid feminazi. Run!.'

I'm reasonable, honest. I shall put the sparkly stuff away now and promise to play nice.

(no subject)

This is part of what feminism means to me. Feel free to disagree. :)

Okay. Here we go (this time without the stabby implements).

I am a feminist. I was raised by two feminists (Yes, men can be feminists too, in my opinion). To me it means striving towards true equality between men and women.*

It means anyone earns according to their job, their qualifications and skills, not according to their gender. It means men share the traditional jobs like childrearing and housekeeping with women. It means that a woman, a girl can live her life without having to worry about being considered a sex-object. It means girls will be brought up knowing what they look like is not the thing that defines their life.

It means realising and accepting there are things women can be better at.

It also means women have to accept that men are under just as much pressure (if not more) to be masculine as we are to be feminine (thanks to housemate for pointing that one out :)). I can turn up at work without make-up and wearing trousers, but good luck finding a workplace liberal enough to allow men to wear make-up and a dress.**

It means realising and accepting there are things men can be better at.

Feminism is not about revenge. It is not about getting our own back. It does not mean women have a moral right to treat men the way women have been treated and perceived in the past (and in some ways are still treated and perceived today). We can't allow to let ourselves get complacent and think it's okay to do unto them, which means you don't get to take out your rage at the patriarchy on the man or men in your life (unless they give you a pretty damned good reason***).

I'm still somewhat hazy and confused on certain parts of my beliefs and convictions about feminism, equalism and batshit insanity, and I certainly don't think I've all the answers. I think my feelings about all this boils down to 'Please treat each other like human beings.'

* Leaving aside those differences caused by physical attributes.

** I hope I'll be forgiven for not including TG in my post. I don't feel I'm qualified to make statements about it further than my belief of 'You are what you are, regardless of what kind of body you were born with.'

*** 'He's a man and therefore privileged,' is not a good reason. Don't use it, because you're making yourself and the rest of us look stupid.

(no subject)

This is part of what feminism means to me. Feel free to disagree. :)

Okay. Here we go (this time without the stabby implements).

I am a feminist. I was raised by two feminists (Yes, men can be feminists too, in my opinion). To me it means striving towards true equality between men and women.*

It means anyone earns according to their job, their qualifications and skills, not according to their gender. It means men share the traditional jobs like childrearing and housekeeping with women. It means that a woman, a girl can live her life without having to worry about being considered a sex-object. It means girls will be brought up knowing what they look like is not the thing that defines their life.

It means realising and accepting there are things women can be better at.

It also means women have to accept that men are under just as much pressure (if not more) to be masculine as we are to be feminine (thanks to housemate for pointing that one out :)). I can turn up at work without make-up and wearing trousers, but good luck finding a workplace liberal enough to allow men to wear make-up and a dress.**

It means realising and accepting there are things men can be better at.

Feminism is not about revenge. It is not about getting our own back. It does not mean women have a moral right to treat men the way women have been treated and perceived in the past (and in some ways are still treated and perceived today). We can't allow to let ourselves get complacent and think it's okay to do unto them, which means you don't get to take out your rage at the patriarchy on the man or men in your life (unless they give you a pretty damned good reason***).

I'm still somewhat hazy and confused on certain parts of my beliefs and convictions about feminism, equalism and batshit insanity, and I certainly don't think I've all the answers. I think my feelings about all this boils down to 'Please treat each other like human beings.'

* Leaving aside those differences caused by physical attributes.

** I hope I'll be forgiven for not including TG in my post. I don't feel I'm qualified to make statements about it further than my belief of 'You are what you are, regardless of what kind of body you were born with.'

*** 'He's a man and therefore privileged,' is not a good reason. Don't use it, because you're making yourself and the rest of us look stupid.