Although International Women’s Day is officially behind us for this year, it’s ever-more important throughout Women’s History Month to remember the struggles women have faced through the years.
And, it’s important to also be sure that we acknowledge the self-proclaimed feminist men that support us women. These guys are the real MVP’s, y’all.
As a women, it’s almost expected that you’re a feminist (I mean, as a woman, we have to stand up for ourselves and fellow women, right?). But for men there can be a lot of negative stereotypes and misconceptions that surround that self-given title.
I mean, lets be honest, in our slightly messed up society, when a man proclaims he’s a feminist, he gets a lot of weird looks — or even made fun of (really?!). Toxic masculinity strikes again! Booooo!
Whether or not you believe men can actually be feminists, or if they should be labeled as allies of women’s rights, one thing still remains: Feminism is literally for everybody.
It’s important to acknowledge the role men play in feminism. Gender equality is for them too. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally just all be people? Men can be who they want to be, women can be who they want to be and we get actually get treated the same. Ah. What a world that would be.
While the amazing strides women have made over the last hundred years or so can never be made light of, it is still important to give credit to the men that have fought along side of us and have helped us get a little closer to equality.
The men who encourage the women in their lives to not settle for the injustices of living in a patriarchal society are a treasure to us, all of us.
Check out the top 40 best quotes about women, women’s rights and feminism from men. Get your feminism on, fellas!
1. Preach, sir! Preach!
“Men of quality support gender equality.”
2. It’s a simple rule, fellas.
“I think the golden rule for men should be: If you’re a man, don’t say anything to a woman on the street that you wouldn’t want a man saying to you in prison.” -Peter White
3. That time Ryan Gosling got real about misogyny in films.
“It’s misogynistic in nature to try and control a woman’s sexual presentation of self. I consider this an issue that is bigger than [one] film.” -Ryan Gosling
4. I repeat, feminism is for everybody.
“I believe in gender equality. Being a feminist is for both women and men. I am a feminist.” -Matt McGorry
5. Look who just summed up feminism, y’all.
“For me, as a feminist, I would say it should be up to the woman to decide if she wants to be a mom … If she wants to go out and work, have a career other than being a mom, then she should be able to do that as well.” -Joseph Gordon-Levitt
6. This feminist’s all time favorite Obama quote!
“You can’t deny women their basic rights and pretend it’s about your ‘religious freedom’. If you don’t like birth control, don’t use it. Religious freedom doesn’t mean that you can force others to live by your own beliefs. ” -Barack Obama
7. Oh, Terry. You wonderful sap, you. It IS long overdue and you’re a treasure, sir!
“First of all, as a card-carrying feminist, I am a BIG feminist, anytime I see women being stars – the stars that they should be, and being featured, and being highlighted, it makes my heart happy. Because it’s long overdue.” -Terry Crews
8. Women appreciate your support, Mark!
“I actually trust the women I know. I trust them with their choices, I trust them with their bodies and I trust them with their children. I trust that they are decent enough and wise enough and worthy enough to carry the right of abortion.” -Mark Ruffalo
9. You have to appreciate the men that get that equality is everyone’s responsibility.
“We won’t unlock opportunities for young women and girls unless we can change the mindset of every family and community. To achieve this, it cannot just be women who speak up for girls. ” -Prince Harry of Wales
10. When a man pin-pointed the problem with the age old saying “boys will be boys”.
“The argument that ‘boys will be boys’ actually carries the profoundly anti-male implication that we should expect bad behaviors from boys and men. The assumption is that they are somehow not capable of acting appropriately, or treating girls and women with respect. ” -Jackson Katz
11. When John Legend described a better world.
“All men should be feminists. If men care about women’s rights, the world will be a better place.” -John Legend
12. Great point, Dr. Parker.
“Jesus never shamed women.”
13. It’s sexy when men get equally angry by women’s issues.
“I’m usually good about my temper, but all these men trying to control women’s bodies are really beginning to piss me off.” -Eddie Vedder
14. That time Jon Stewart asked the real question.
“Nobody says hey, men should not drink. It’s all about women must dress differently , women must walk differently, women must drink differently. Why are we not able to hold men to account for this behavior?” -Jon Stewart
15. I can’t describe how much I love it when the president gets sarcastic … and spot on.
“It’s pretty clear that if men were having babies we’d have different policies.” -Barack Obama