Feminist men, tell me about your journey?

[DeepThinkingGirl]

Hi,

I would like to ask feminist men about how they started learning about feminism and what was their journey like.

Especially those who couldn’t see the problems but started to see it after exposure to certain events or literature. What was it ?

Thanks

Hi there, first post but been a lurker for a little while. I don't describe myself as a feminist, but rather a pro-feminist man.

I started getting interested in the subject in my late teens (I'm 45 now) so this was back in the early 90's. Bit of an unusual journey to it I suppose but I was very much into Wicca and paganism as a spiritual path (as I still am) and the first couple of books I read on the subject were written from a feminist perspective ie The Spiral Dance by Starhawk and a couple of things by Shan from House Of The Goddess. I used to hang out at an 'alternative' bookstore in Plymouth which sold a load of books on spirituality, gay and lesbian studies etc and that was where I remember buying Achilles Heel, a pro-feminist men's magazine back in the day.

Over the last year I suppose I've become more interested in feminist issues after the JK Rowling situation peaked me. I'm watching more Youtube videos on the subject and I've joined a few GC Facebook groups. The situation is getting untenable and although I support trans people's rights to live their lives in whatever way they wish to, the impact on other people's rights ( obviously women and girls primarily but also gay men and gender non-conforming boys) is something I'm really concerned about.

I am concerned about the generations of kids growing up believe if that they can ‘fix’ a lot in their life with extreme measures (whether it’s behaviour or physical).

Thanks to Findwen, Just, Andy and others - I have really enjoyed reading your posts and your honesty.

Have been listening to the Woman’s Hour programme from 18th March in which 3 men talk about their responses to violence towards women and girls. The contributor from a professional stance said very clearly that the men he sees definitely enjoy predatory , violent and abusive behaviour..and he has met many. Another guy started by blaming his mother who was violent, mentioned trans rights twice for no reason (without any challenge or comment) and brought the conversation around to his experience of Racism. The other one was David Challon. This week they have been covering the topics from many points of view but the best was the interview with a former female police chief who was very clear about the misogyny in the force and that she personally would never report anything that happened to her. Absolutely damning.