Feminist Pride Day 2012

Keir, 21, Boston, MA

Tiffany Baker, 29, Denver, CO 

My son, Milo (4 months), received this onesie from his queer, feminist “auntie.” 

Gender equality is important because gender inequality is connected to so many other forms of inequality. For instance, homophobia is just one of the ways in which gender inequality is played out. It, too, is rooted in the cultural devaluation of the feminine. I began to notice this cultural devaluation as a problem in the fifth grade when my mother was asked by church leadership to refrain from talking in business meetings, but my father’s input was encouraged and highly valued. However, I did not connect isolated events of sexism to a larger issue until middle school when we learned about the feminist movements. I firmly believe that “coming out” as a feminist was a helpful step in the process of my coming out as a lesbian because, in doing so, I gained experience in standing up for my beliefs and not being afraid to call people out for degrading others. I think a feminist is one who uses sexism as a framework within which to discuss the other forms of discrimination (racism, heterosexism, classism, etc) in order to raise awareness of the issues and attempt to aid others in understanding why these behaviors and beliefs are detrimental to society as a whole, as well as to the oppressed group.

I am a white, able-bodied, cis-gendered lesbian majoring in English and Latin and minoring in women’s studies, and I am not afraid to recognize my privilege and use that awareness to help others become aware of their privilege and work with others who are aware to address the systems that create such inequalities because I am a feminist.

Gender equality is the first step towards equality for all people. My feminist awakening came early in my life as an oppressed member of society through my identification as queer, immigrant, and ethnic minority. It is essential for me to project the issue of gender violence as one of the most significant issues in our society today. Feminists and pro-feminists must band together to work towards gender equality for people of all genders in various racial, ethnic, religious, and sexual communities.

Kong, 21, Minneapolis, MN

Still want a shirt? Our IndieGoGo campaign has concluded, but we still have limited quantities of small and medium shirts. Email us at feministcomingoutday@gmail.com for details on how to get yours!

I was until college when I learn that I am a feminist. I took a pasioned man that saw in his students feminist waiting for that little extra push to be the best men and women they can be. Maybe is because I want to go against all those roles society specially my culture has set up for women. I don’t wear pink at all, I feel that pink has become a symbol or a way to mark women. I say pink is for girls. Girls need to be protected and protection means to relie on someon else.I have caught myself thinking like a me too feminist. I know it’s not always the correct way to do things but, that feeling I get when I show a man that I am just as good as he is, is great. Is not just to probe them wrong it si also to probe to myself that the fact that I am a female does not make me inferior. I am pro- family planing,abortion, gay marriage, stay home dads,and I would have voted for the first woman president. This is Me and this is what I believe. I am glad that I have been given something that friends and other women haven’t received LIBERTY to chose, to make decisions to please no body but myself. I promise myself that I will advice and pass on my experiences to young girls, and help those girls that are today in the possition I was one day.Isn’t that what feminism is all about? I believe that adpiting a more feminsit ideology is easy but actually practicing it is challengin. I’m up for the challenge!

Christine, 32, Wicihta Kansas

Labels

Do not slap a label on me just because it makes you more comfortable.

I could care less about your comfort, I am living for me.

Don’t presume to think you know who I am

Greedy

Lesbian

Straight

Confused

STOP!!! I do not care what you think

When exactly did I say here, Please judge my life???

Oh yeah wait I didn’t!!! So stop, I do not give a fuck what you think

I dress like a boy, I dress like a girl

I play with trucks, I play with Barbie’s

I love getting dirty, I love getting dressed up

I like to fuck, I like to get fucked

What exactly do you want to hear…?

I am not your typical “girl” that society portrays

I could care less about what people think.

I am not a supermodel, nor do I want to be

I am me, I could care less about your judgment or what you think of me or who I should be.

I know who I am and that is all that matters,

So just remember next time you want to slap a label on me, you can’t because I am all me and that is just who I want to be. By Christine Hess

I am a feminist because I believe everyone is equal, because I feel just as beautiful with make up as I do with a T-shirt and jeans, because I know how sexist our society is and I try to make everyone around me just as aware, because I know what not to teach my children about gender, because I know being a FEMINIST is not just standing up for women rights, because I know better than to believe the stereotype of FEMINISTS, because I am independent, because I have a mother who is a single mother and has showed me that no matter what your gender is you can be just as or even more successful than any person of the opposite sex that there is no obstcale big enough if you put your mind to it, because I believe every woman is beautiful, and lastly because I am a strong, beautiful, confident woman that will make a difference it this world starting with myself and my family. =]