It was great to see coverage of a Gender Week event in the article titled "A Mother Speaks Out Against Homophobia" which appeared in the Sept. 27 issue of The Spectrum. It disappointed me to read the assertion that "Gender Week stepped outside its largely feminist themes" by addressing homophobia.
I know that it was not meant as a criticism, but that comment confirmed my belief that the general public is very misinformed about the definition of feminism. Feminism is very closely linked to both the gay rights and anti-racist movement. The oppression of women, homosexuals, people of color, and the lower classes all stem from the same problems with our society. Homophobia is an issue faced by countless women, and therefore it is as much a women's issue as any other feminist cause. The same goes for racism.
Also, women do not want to gain equal rights only to turn around and start oppressing other groups. It is the belief of most feminists that all oppressions are intertwined and you cannot attack one without fighting the others as well.
To many people, the word feminist means "man-hater."
This could not be further from the truth. Feminists are simply people who believe that everyone should be fully equal, no matter what their gender, color, or sexual orientation. If more people understood this, then perhaps fewer people would hesitate to identify themselves as feminist.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
