Women constantly finds themselves apologizing for their non-conformity to patriarchal values: “I’m a lesbian…but I don’t hate men, ” “I’m a feminist, but I still like girly things,” “I’m anti-porn, but it doesn’t mean I can’t have fun.” Female feminists still bare the brunt of their conditioning, feeling the need to diminish how powerful they are when they reject certain aspects of the sexist culture. Whether it means not needing male approval or male comfort, whether it means not being feminine-presenting, reaching outside the boundaries of hearth, home and their “innate” maternal drive, or not having any interests in fulfilling sexualized fantasies of female subjugation, female feminists often find themselves trying to lessen the impact of their beliefs. This manifestation of conditioning, where women try to avoid coming across as intimidating or anti-patriarchal, consoles and reassures men that we still know our “place” and is a product of us still wanting to hold some appeal to them, even if it means downplaying our anger and objections towards the sexism we fight so passionately against.

(via angrywomanistcritic)

No more apologies.

(via thirdwavefeminism)

(via marissaboleyn)

Gender is the poetry each of us makes out of the language we are taught.” — Leslie Feinberg

(via knowhomo)
This is what I’m giving out to friends and family tomorrow

This is what I’m giving out to friends and family tomorrow

(Source: all-about-male-privilege)

(Source: idancee, via sometimes-i-smile)

the-milk-eyed-mender:

ourlivesareweird:

A 72-year-old grandfather, Liu Xianping, has become something of an internet sensation after he began modelling for his granddaughter’s online clothing store.

Liu’s granddaughter runs Yuekou, a partnership between herself and four other recent college graduates. While Liu was helping the girls unpack, “he picked up one piece and tried to give some advice on how to mix and match. We thought it was fun so we started shooting.”

“Why unacceptable (for someone like me) to wear women’s clothes? Modelling for the store is helping my granddaughter and I have nothing to lose. We were very happy on the day of the shooting. I’m very old and all that I care about is to be happy.” — Liu Xianping

Source: Quoted directly from this article at Shanghaiist.

(via hisblackdress)

(Source: shomiha, via syst3mm3ltdown)

All girls continue to be taught when they are young, if not by their parents then by the culture around them, that they must earn the right to be loved — that “femaleness” is not good enough. This is a female’s first lesson in the school of patriarchal thinking and values. She must earn love. She is not entitled. She must be good enough to be loved. And good is always defined by someone else, someone on the outside.

Bell Hooks (via loserchildhotpants)

and it’s exhausting, innit?

(via thelalatheory)

(Source: daniellemertina, via hannahblackbean)