Feminism | Posted by Bobbi N on 12/4/2009
Something to Think About
My boyfriend and I have a good relationship. He respects me, and I do likewise, and we’re both happy. But something very interesting happened today.
We had been making breakfast/lunch together, and as he was sitting down to eat, he said something (I cannot remember what) that made me reply with “Well that’s because I’m feminist” or something along those lines. I was surprised when he looked at me and said “No. No you’re not.”
“Why not? Because I’m not a lesbian?” I replied, “How do you know I’m not? Because I like you?” I was clearly ready to get into an argument, but he blatantly refused to talk about it. I told him, at some point during our brief conversation, that guys can be feminists too, but he didn’t …
More >
Awareness, Feminism | Posted by Vanessa F on 12/3/2009
Questions about Lesbianism
My name is Vanessa Fernando. I’m a writer, a dark chocolate addict, a vegetarian, a lady-loving lady, a repressed cat lover and an undergrad at McGill University majoring in History and Women’s Studies (which I wish was called Gender Studies). I also love to talk about sex.
Disclaimer: Although this post is about the myths surrounding lesbianism, I don’t identify as a lesbian. I identify as a queer, cissexual (non-transsexual) woman. I decided to use the term “lesbian” here because that is how I am perceived (as a female-bodied woman in a relationship with another female-bodied woman), and because the word carries a lot of stigma. As always, I can only speak from my own experience, and I most definitely do not presume to think that my opinions reflect those …
More >
Feminism | Posted by Eli A on 12/2/2009
Utena, Feminism, and the Vision of All Possible Worlds
Revolutionary Girl Utena follows the life of a teenage girl, who, rescued by a prince in childhood, resolves to become a prince as an adult. The series combines a fantastic setting with realistic characters. If I sing its praises to the skies, it’s because the manga, anime and movie are excellent ways to introduce philosophical ideas to thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds, like I was when I first found it.
I can still remember picking up “Revolutionary Girl Utena” in the bookstore. It was like a bomb going off. Here was a comic book, ostensibly light reading, with a feminist, artistic and philosophical message. At the time, I didn’t think of it like that, it just seemed cool, and somehow different from all that Britney Spears bubblegum shlock. And it was.
Ohtori …
More >
Feminism | Posted by Matt W on 12/1/2009
Men Can Be Feminists?
Yes, men can be feminists.
Why, you may ask? Well, why the hell not?
I’ve been wanting to write about my experiences as a male feminist for quite some time now. Yes, I am a cisgender male. Yes, it is impossible for me to have exactly the same experiences as a cisgender woman. If I decide to stay as a cisgender male, I will never give birth to a child, menstruate, experience many forms of sexist discrimination, worry about my safety while walking across campus at night, etc. etc.
I realize this. I wanted to make that disclaimer before I continue so as to let people know what I am aware of the discrepancy between the discrimination (or lack thereof) that I will face in my lifetime as compared to …
More >
