Showing that feminists don't all hate heterosexual male sexuality

Is what's being proposed some sort of feminist version of whatever the young woman photographed with Owen Jones thought she was doing with her "will suck cock for socialism" tshirt?

I have many pairs of comfortable shoes. I wore my favourite red el naturalistas to work one day and my young cool co-worker said ‘oooooo!’ I prepared myself to graciously accept the incoming compliment and she said ‘my mum’s got a pair of those.’
😑

Ohhhhh like an info-ops campaign? To make feminism more palatable to romantically frustrated gents? What do you suggest, op? Leafleting? Stickers? Have you got a slogan? Designed a flag? I know a man with a plane or two - is there an area of the country particularly in need so that we could fly a supportive banner?
Can we have an acronym?
RadFemsForRomanticRelief? RFFRR rolls off tongue lovely, so it does.

Is putting out essential? I dunno that I’ve got it in me (Oo-er) and dh might mind. Shall I check?
No, you loon. Feminists do not need to gussy up and dick-tease for their politics to be rendered more palatable. 🙄

I didn't know shoes could make you a lesbian.

I hope there's a sale on.

I have to say, getting the old fashioned gumph ' you're all just lezzers who hate blokes shut up and listen to manly pain' was almost a refreshing change from the newer forms of 'shut up while I gloat about shutting you up'.

Almost.

Why are so many people spamming us atm?

Presumably we’ve inherited the spammers that once spammed the gender critical subreddit?

Sorry it is late and have not therefore RTFT. But what the hell might you mean by feminism wants to impose celibacy on all straight men?

Hell, no. I am a feminist. That means I center women in the fight against oppression. However I love my DH dearly, he is amazing as a man and a human being. Just because this is the feminism board does not mean that we don't have boyfriends, husbands, lovers...and have lots of great sex with >gasp< men!

There are plenty of men who know that feminists are not anti-sex. Often they are the ones in relationships with feminists. They are the ones to educate other men who have the wrong idea about feminism. They'd be listened to. We wouldn't.

I mean, how do you show that you are not anti-sex to a stranger except by being sexually explicit? And what feminsit wants to do that with sexist random men? Only the other men can have a meaningful conversation about feminism not being anti-men or anti-sex. If the men who get it can't be arsed to educate the others, well, that suggests they don't think it is a big issue or the other men wouldn't listen.

Not women's problem to solve; men's problem to educate each other. It is entirely within their capability to do this. I have heard say from reliable sources that men talk about sex and women amongst themselves often rather crudely and explicitly when the women are not present. So, they have plenty of opportunity to discuss. Let them get on with it if they think it is an issue worthy of action.

Seriously?

Why are so many people spamming us atm?

No, not remotely interested. Couldn't give a fuck if the OP thinks feminists hate men. I'm straight, but this post might have just tipped me over into separatism....

If you see a movement for equality for women as anti-men what’s the thinking there? That men will lose something by women being equal? What would they be losing?

I think there is a feeling, imo an incorrect one, but still a feeling, among many straight men that feminism wants to impose celibacy on all straight men, and hates and derides any expression of male sexuality

So? Why are you telling us?

Go tell the men they've got the wrong end of the stick if it bothers you that much.

I wonder sometimes if there is any mileage in perhaps showing some compassion for the difficulties that many straight men encounter in their personal lives in general, and perhaps even that the pain of sexual or romantic frustration is no less real (and perhaps heightened by societal expectations of the straight male stud) for this group of people than anyone else.

Women have done the best they can at showing compassion for men like those they describe. I am sorry you do not feel women have done enough, but on the other hand, there are those who feel that women do far too much. Yanno, that 'second shift' thingummy?

And sandals with socks.

Maybe the shoe shop assistant is right and my husband number 4 will be a wife?

What is it that you're asking feminists to do, then, OP?

I was simply and perhaps I expressed it badly wondering whether there was a way that demonstrating through communication that feminism is not against consensual heterosexual relations (which feminists know to be true but others don't seem to) might be a path to dismantling some of the sense of being under siege that some straight men seem to say they experience (possibly as an excuse not to engage, I don't know).

OP, plenty of feminists spend a great deal of time actively reassuring men that feminism is not 'out to get them', doesn't hate them, etc. And reminding men that feminism is good for them (particularly in relation to their emotional lives and breaking down toxic expectations of men). All this even though the idea that feminism is anti-male comes from men deliberately, wilfully misinterpreting, or jumping to conclusions, or not paying attention. It doesn't come from women 'not having explained' well enough, or not having communicated clearly enough.

In terms of political effectiveness, of course persuading others, no matter how resistant they are, is important. But even when feminists put in the time and effort to nicely persuade the men who are resistant, the return is minimal.

Nothing that you said in your first post is in any way groundbreaking - I do understand that if you're new to these issues, you might feel like this is a topic that needs discussing, and be annoyed at some of the responses here. But the be-more-likeable stuff, the man-hating stereotype... it's come up over and over and over again. To not be aware of this in any way reflects a lack of knowledge, and if you're lacking in knowledge about the topic of a forum - well, ask more, type less.

*DancelikeEmmaGoldman•

But I already went out and bought new ‘lesbian shoes’ from Clark’s! Can I use that in my defence?

The bar is so low that I'm just glad it wasn't prefaced with the usual, "Now don't you she-lions eat me alive for saying this, har har."

Salesperson of the month, there.

It was in another shop, full of fucking awful shoes with too many straps and heels. I asked where Clarks was because none of the shoes were actually wearable. And a rather unprepossessing young shop assistant told me that Clarks's shoes were 'a bit lesbian' and started sniggering. And trailed off when she saw my [jawdrop].

I was simply and perhaps I expressed it badly wondering whether there was a way that demonstrating through communication that feminism is not against consensual heterosexual relations (which feminists know to be true but others don't seem to) might be a path to dismantling some of the sense of being under siege that some straight men seem to say they experience (possibly as an excuse not to engage, I don't know).

I suspect most of the tedious people who say feminists hate men know perfectly well that many are in happy heterosexual relationships.... just not with them.

Clarifying this (not sure how ... photos of us with our DH/Ps? Testimonials?) would probably just rub salt into their self inflicted wounds.

Nah you want to be asking men to fix men problems. We have enough to keep us busy. Try ARRSE or Petrolheads.