Title: So You Want to Be a Male Feminist? Here Are 11 Simple Rules to Follow
Headings: So You Want to Be a Male Feminist? Here Are 11 Simple Rules to Follow
So You Want to Be a Male Feminist? Here Are 11 Simple Rules to Follow
Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Aziz Ansari. John Legend.
1. Understand that women are leading the way and affirm their capable leadership. Don't assert yourself at the forefront.
2. When it comes to issues that directly pertain to women's bodies and experiences, be quiet and listen.
3. Men don't get to determine if they are "allies" to the feminist movement. Women do.
4. Take responsibility for addressing men's issues with other men, rather than expecting women in feminism to do all of the work.
5. Use your male privilege to encourage other men to work towards gender equality, under women's leadership.
6. Don't use the label of "feminist" as a way to try to get women to like you — that's disingenuous and counterproductive.
7. When given opportunities to execute professional tasks related to feminist issues, consider referring other women instead.
8. Educate yourself about the history of feminism and how women of different backgrounds have approached the movement.
9. Ensure your feminism is intersectional.
10. Acknowledge that sometimes, women need opportunities to discuss feminist issues without the presence of men. And that's okay.
11. When women criticize your involvement in feminism, don't talk over them or talk down to them. Actively listen and be accountable.

Content: When it comes to issues that directly pertain to women's bodies and experiences, be quiet and listen. For people who have penises and a male reproductive system, they will never know what it's like to have a period, go through menopause or bear children. If a man is conventionally masculine, straight and not transgender, he is much less likely to encounter street harassment and sexual assault or be told that his gender innately makes him unfit to fully participate in various aspects of the workplace. And should he dare to speak up in favor of gender equality, he likely won't face online harassment, including death and rape threats, as was recently the case for feminist gaming critic Anita Sarkeesian . Instead of talking over women or worse, making unfounded assumptions about what they experience on a daily basis, be quiet and listen to what women have to say, and redirect other men to their voices. 3. Men don't get to determine if they are "allies" to the feminist movement. Women do. As a man, being a feminist isn't some special badge you earn after going to a rally, speaking out for gender equality or holding another man accountable for sexist behavior. It's not about getting "ally cookies" or a pat on the back every time you do something that's considered pro-feminism.