Andy Murray shows again why he is a feminist ally

[whoputthecatout]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41082938

Worth a read. It's not new that Andy supports females in sport of course but to go out of his way to voice his views is so positive.

''Since then, I have been asked about women's equality and I would find it hard to look any of the top female tennis players in the eye if I did not speak my mind.''

Top man.

It's a great article & I especially like this bit

'People often underestimate the amount of work that it takes to become a top tennis player. And that work ethic is the same whether you are a man or a woman.

There are hours spent in the gym, on court, in physio, travelling, analysing matches and opponents, talking with your team, managing your body, and of course, making plenty of sacrifices.

Anyone who has spent any time with any of the top women will know that they make those same sacrifices and are as determined and committed to winning as any of the top men on the tour.'

Andy is the man.

Him correcting the sexist tv reporters by reminding them that the Williams sisters exist are my favourite moments. He's done it at least twice now and on one of those occasions it was the press conference after being knocked out of Wimbledon this year - injured, tired, frustrated, and still fighting the good fight.

The other time, he had to correct John Inverdale - no surprise that he forgot women are human beings too

It's so lovely to be able to cheer for a sportsman who you can admire on and off the court.

Nice one Andy.

Seems kind of right from a father of a little girl. I love Andy.

Great from Andy. And good to reference a range of sports as well, not just tennis.

Is there any male sportsperson, in any sport, who has ever talked about this kind of thing? Happy to be corrected on that.

Top bloke. But immensely irritating that these view are only seen as worth hearing because a man is talking.

He is a top bloke. And it's particularly meaningful because you know he doesn't suck up to the media spotlight. So when he says these things, it's not to get attention but because he believes it's the right thing to do. Thank you Andy. Your daughters will be proud.

I was pleased to read Andy using "sex" rather than "gender". Unfortunately it is a shame that it takes a male to say it for it to be heard but it's great that a top sportsman is speaking out and I wish more did.

"Top bloke. But immensely irritating that these view are only seen as worth hearing because a man is talking."

Being a 3 time grand slam champion and former world no 1 doesn't have anything to do with it? If Kyle Edmund had said it, do you think it would have made the main pages of BBC Sport? Jesus man what is wrong with you.

"Seems kind of right from a father of a little girl. I love Andy."

So if he was the father of a boy that would have been different or you would have thought differently?

"It's so lovely to be able to cheer for a sportsman who you can admire on and off the court."

^^ This

Judy Murray should write a book on bringing up boys

Good stuff-curious why you refer to him as a feminist ally rather than a feminist?

Being a 3 time grand slam champion and former world no 1 doesn't have anything to do with it? If Kyle Edmund had said it, do you think it would have made the main pages of BBC Sport? Jesus man what is wrong with you.

Ummm I think the point was that it's a shame that people are more likely to listen when a man talks about anything - including feminism - than when a woman does and that that is a bit depressing.

Not a massively controversial opinion for the feminism board surely?

buckeejit
Women are feminists, men are feminist allies. The distinction is made to stop people co-opting the movement.
Its like how white people can support black people as allies, but not be part of their movement.

It seems different to me, the definition of a feminist I thought was someone who wants equality between the sexes? It feels a bit sad that there seems to be a need to push 'them' to the side as being less involved in the progress of feminism.

buckeejit - not all feminists believe that men can only be allies rather than feminists

Thanks olennas, I don't think I would feel comfortable calling someone a feminist ally so I'll just shift my virtual chair over to that side of the party 😁

Yes, I'm not really on board with "feminist ally" either. Murray defines himself as a feminist, after all, so in this new age of it being all about what one identifies oneself as, I have to respect that!