Emily
Mike
A new website that focuses specifically on men’s involvement in feminism has been launched. XY Online is maintained by Dr. Michael Flood, who has a research background in gender, violence against women, and men’s health and sexuality. XY’s goal is cited as:
XY is a pro-feminist website. It is guided above all by a commitment to feminism. XY is intended to advance feminist goals of gender equality and gender justice. XY is intended therefore to encourage men to involve themselves in personal and social change towards gender equality. It inspires men to develop respectful, trusting, and egalitarian relations with women, to promote equitable and liberatory ways of living and being, and to join with women in projects of gender equality and social justice.
One of the best things about the site is that it focuses on pervasive sexism, heteronormativity, and gender stereotyping affects both women and men. The website is a forum for men to connect with other men, as well as women, and to use their gender privilege for helping dismantle sexism and misogyny.
Jezebel brings up the debate we’ve had before, on whether or not a man can actually call himself a feminist. Mike and I both agree that men can and should, though XY seems to shy away from the directly “feminist” term, opting instead for pro-feminist, or feminist ally. It’s true that integrating men into feminism/womanism can be challenging for both parties, but there’s no reason it can’t be done to the benefit of both. Websites like XY are especially helpful when fostering and encouraging a community of men who consider feminist issues important.
When Mike and I were first starting the blog and getting around to telling friends, family, and coworkers, I remember an instance that spoke a lot about people’s opinions of men and feminism. A smart, liberal, highly educated acquaintance of ours was somewhat bemused at the idea of our blog. “I know why she’d want to blog about feminism,” he said of me, before turning to Mike. “But why are you interested?!” This notion has always been funny to me– that only people within certain marginalized communities can or should care about that community’s rights issues. Without the help and active support of allies throughout history, civil rights and women’s suffrage would have occurred much later, if at all. I also find it strange that I know a decent amount of progressive, liberal white people openly interested in race/ethnicity issues, or active straight allies of the LGBTQ community, but far fewer men who are unabashedly interested in feminism.
At the end of the day, the debate on whether or not men should claim the title “feminist,” isn’t as important as the fact that they should be engaged on issues of gender equality. As Jezebel puts it:
…becoming a feminist man means giving up the idea that you’re ‘one of the good guys’, and recognizing that male privilege affects everyone, good guy or not. If men can recognize this — and continue recognizing it, as being aware of one’s own privilege is a constant process — then, as far as I’m concerned, they can call themselves anything they want.
Filed under: Feminism, Male Perspectives, Male Preference Tagged: | Feminism, male feminists, men
