40 Quotes From Men About Women, Women's Rights & Feminism
This is what a feminist looks like.
Although International Women’s Day is officially behind us for this year, it’s ever-more important throughout Women's History Month to remember the struggles women have faced through the years.
And, it’s important to also be sure that we acknowledge the self-proclaimed feminist men that support us women. These guys are the real MVP’s, y’all.
As a women, it’s almost expected that you’re a feminist (I mean, as a woman, we have to stand up for ourselves and fellow women, right?). But for men there can be a lot of negative stereotypes and misconceptions that surround that self-given title.
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I mean, lets be honest, in our slightly messed up society, when a man proclaims he’s a feminist, he gets a lot of weird looks — or even made fun of (really?!). Toxic masculinity strikes again! Booooo!
Whether or not you believe men can actually be feminists, or if they should be labeled as allies of women's rights, one thing still remains: Feminism is literally for everybody.
It’s important to acknowledge the role men play in feminism. Gender equality is for them too. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally just all be people? Men can be who they want to be, women can be who they want to be and we get actually get treated the same. Ah. What a world that would be.
While the amazing strides women have made over the last hundred years or so can never be made light of, it is still important to give credit to the men that have fought along side of us and have helped us get a little closer to equality.
The men who encourage the women in their lives to not settle for the injustices of living in a patriarchal society are a treasure to us, all of us.
Check out the top 40 best quotes about women, women’s rights and feminism from men. Get your feminism on, fellas!
1. Preach, sir! Preach!
“Men of quality support gender equality.”
2. It’s a simple rule, fellas.
“I think the golden rule for men should be: If you’re a man, don’t say anything to a woman on the street that you wouldn’t want a man saying to you in prison.” -Peter White
3. That time Ryan Gosling got real about misogyny in films.
“It’s misogynistic in nature to try and control a woman’s sexual presentation of self. I consider this an issue that is bigger than [one] film.” -Ryan Gosling
4. I repeat, feminism is for everybody.
“I believe in gender equality. Being a feminist is for both women and men. I am a feminist.” -Matt McGorry
5. Look who just summed up feminism, y'all.
“For me, as a feminist, I would say it should be up to the woman to decide if she wants to be a mom … If she wants to go out and work, have a career other than being a mom, then she should be able to do that as well.” -Joseph Gordon-Levitt
6. This feminist's all time favorite Obama quote!
“You can’t deny women their basic rights and pretend it’s about your ‘religious freedom’. If you don’t like birth control, don’t use it. Religious freedom doesn’t mean that you can force others to live by your own beliefs. ” -Barack Obama
7. Oh, Terry. You wonderful sap, you. It IS long overdue and you’re a treasure, sir!
“First of all, as a card-carrying feminist, I am a BIG feminist, anytime I see women being stars – the stars that they should be, and being featured, and being highlighted, it makes my heart happy. Because it’s long overdue.” -Terry Crews
8. Women appreciate your support, Mark!
“I actually trust the women I know. I trust them with their choices, I trust them with their bodies and I trust them with their children. I trust that they are decent enough and wise enough and worthy enough to carry the right of abortion.” -Mark Ruffalo
9. You have to appreciate the men that get that equality is everyone’s responsibility.
“We won’t unlock opportunities for young women and girls unless we can change the mindset of every family and community. To achieve this, it cannot just be women who speak up for girls. ” -Prince Harry of Wales
10. When a man pin-pointed the problem with the age old saying “boys will be boys”.
“The argument that ‘boys will be boys’ actually carries the profoundly anti-male implication that we should expect bad behaviors from boys and men. The assumption is that they are somehow not capable of acting appropriately, or treating girls and women with respect. ” -Jackson Katz
11. When John Legend described a better world.
“All men should be feminists. If men care about women’s rights, the world will be a better place.” -John Legend
12. Great point, Dr. Parker.
“Jesus never shamed women.”
13. It’s sexy when men get equally angry by women’s issues.
“I’m usually good about my temper, but all these men trying to control women’s bodies are really beginning to piss me off.” -Eddie Vedder
14. That time Jon Stewart asked the real question.
“Nobody says hey, men should not drink. It’s all about women must dress differently , women must walk differently, women must drink differently. Why are we not able to hold men to account for this behavior?” -Jon Stewart
15. I can’t describe how much I love it when the president gets sarcastic … and spot on.
“It’s pretty clear that if men were having babies we’d have different policies.” -Barack Obama
16. A sweet (and true) sentiment.
“If we are going to see real development in the world then our best investment is women.” -Desmond Tutu
17. Got to love a man standing up against male privilege. Heck yes!
“Women don’t owe you sh--.””
18. Good advice from a man to ladies everywhere.
“Dear Ladies: You should never need to prove to other women that he’s in love with you. That’s his job.” - Charles J. Orlando
19. It baffles me that people make assumptions about feminism without ever looking up what it means.
“If you look up feminist in the dictionary, it just means someone who believes men and women have equal rights … ” -Aziz Ansari
20. Gotta love a man that gets that violence against women is a men’s issue.
“I wanted to take part in this campaign because it’s so easy to forget the many women who live their lives in fear because of domestic violence. Men have an important role to play in sending out the message that real men do not hurt or abuse their partners.” -Ian Somerhalder
21. We should probably stop “measuring” ourselves by our genders, but I digress.
“It is by standing up for the rights of girls and women that we truly measure up as men.” -Desmond Tutu
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22. "Still” being the keyword in this quote.
“I’m definitely a feminist. I’m f*cking disgusted by the way women are still treated.” -Kurt Cobain
23. As if Ryan Gosling wasn’t one of the hottest guys already!
“I’m attracted to films that have strong female characters because there are strong female characters in my life.” -Ryan Gosling
24. One of the most profound quotes on the list.
“The abuse of women and girls is the most pervasive and unaddressed human rights violation on earth.” -Jimmy Carter
25. Darn right! Go Iggy!
“I’m not ashamed to dress ‘like a woman’ because I don’t think it’s shameful to be a woman.” -Iggy Pop
26. An interesting analogy.
“If you’re someone who genuinely believes that women don’t deserve or aren’t as much as men, you’re like the plague. On the big history chart, you’re the plague … it’s just pointless and deadly.” -Joss Whedon
27. It’s amazing when the average man stands up for women’s rights.
“Women deserve to occupy all streets without fear” And “Patriarchy is for dicks”
28. You have to admit, he was definitely a president that stood up for women’s rights.
“Women are not a special interest group. They are half of this country and they are perfectly capable of making their own choices about their health.” -Barack Obama
29. When Jimmy Carter pointed out the problem women face in religion.
“The truth is that male religious leaders have had – and still have – an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the later. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world.” -Jimmy Carter
30. That time Will Smith was an amazing dad … and a great feminist example.
“We let Willow cut her hair. When you have a little girl, it’s like, how can you teach her that your in control of her body? If I teach her that I’m in charge of whether or not she can touch her hair, she’s going to replace me with some other man when she goes out into the world. She can’t cut my hair, but that’s her hair. She has got to have command over her body. So when she goes out into the world, she goes out with command that it’s hers. She is used to making those decisions herself. We try to keep giving them those decisions until they can hold the full weight of their lives.” -Will Smith
31. While I don’t agree with the strict gender roles depicted here, women ARE a prize.
“Women, take the pressure off when dating. He has to impress you – not the other way around. You are the prize.” -Steve Harvey
32. A great perspective quote.
“There’s a long, long history of women suffering abuse, injustice, and not having the same opportunities as men, and I think that’s been very detrimental to the human race as a whole.” -Joseph Gordon-Levitt
33. You got to love a guy this passionate about inequality.
“I have a little sister and I’m constantly annoyed [by] how terribly written most females are in most everything – and especially in comedy. Their anatomy seems to be the only defining aspect of their character, and I just find that untruthful and it straight up offends me.” -Jay Baruchel
34. You have to appreciate the men who are willing to point out the lack of male responsibility in our society.
“Women feel more guilt than men, not because of some weird chromosomal issue but because they have a history of being blamed for other people’s behavior. You get hit, you must have annoyed someone; you get raped, you must have excited someone; your kid is a junkie, you must have brought them up wrong.” -Germaine Greer
35. I love the idea that misogyny isn’t part of the human condition. Beautiful.
“Equality is not a concept. It’s not something we should be striving for. It’s a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women, and the misogyny that is in every culture is not a true part of the human condition.” -Joss Wheden
36. When Dr. Parker pointed to the real issue with the abortion debate.
“So it seems like if they want to reduce abortion, the best thing to do would be to support contraception – but they’re against contraception, too, because contraception and abortion decouple sexuality from procreation. That’s why I think religious preoccupation with abortion is largely about controlling the sexuality of women.” -Dr. Willie Parker
37. It’s awesome when a man is a feminist. It’s even more awesome when he acknowledges the inequality even with that.
“I need feminism because I get more credit for being a feminist than she does.”
38. When Aziz Ansari made a joke that summed up feminism.
“You’re a feminist if you go to a Jay-Z and Beyoncé concert, and you’re NOT like, ‘mmm, I feel like Beyoncé should be making 23 percent less money than Jay-Z.’” -Aziz Ansari
39. When men fought to be feminists.
“Real men are feminists"
40. There is no shame in being a male feminist.
“I need feminism because … some of my friends will laugh at me for doing this.”
Nicole Bradley-Bernard is a writer who needs coffee more than she needs anyone’s approval. She enjoys putting bright colors in her curly brown hair, spending time outside on cool days and being with her partner in life, Eric, who she considers a continuing source of inspiration.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve got the best quotes to share and savor. For quotes from the most inspiring celebs, activists, and poets, look no further! You might even find the quote that motivates the best parts of your life (and love!) forever.