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I’ve had a couple of people this past week mention feminism and the International Women’s Day to me in angry tones. I couldn’t figure out exactly what was enraging them so – maybe a Jezebel.com moderator replied snarkily to one of their comments – but there’s something in the water, for sure. I’m repeating a few of the questions I’ve heard recently here, in the hope that people will be able to get a little more insight into the activist hot topic of the month.

Do you like Women’s Appreciation Day, or do you see it as a further distinction of the sexes?
International Women’s Day has a yearly theme: this year, it’s “A promise is a promise: time for action to end violence against women.” I like that. Ideally, we would live in a society that didn’t need annual reminders of how we should be working to lessen world suck, but the fact remains that for another few decades, at least, total equality and abhorrence of violence are not likely to be on the list of Earth’s greatest achievements. It’s better to bring gender issues to light, and take a day to appreciate what we’ve done so far, so that the future will be as bright as possible. That, and as far as I know it’s a trans-inclusive event, so shut up with your separation of the sexes. Gender is not sex.

Why isn’t there an International Men’s Day?
There is one! It’s 19 November. This year’s theme will be “Keeping men and boys safe,” and everyone should get behind it!

I believe that the sexes are equal, but I’m not a feminist! What else can I call myself?
Well, you are a feminist if you believe that, but the right to self-identification, yada yada. You could go with humanist, instead. It’s probably more important to behave in a way that promotes equality than wear labels about it, anyway! If a name tag really is important to you, and you’re scared of the f-word, go with humanist – it covers much of the same stuff, and is also a cool thing to be.
Look, I don’t like that gender equality is at such a stage that those who strive for it require labeling. I hate that. I wish I didn’t feel the need to call myself a feminist because women’s rights weren’t an issue. Unfortunately, they are, and I’m struggling to inject levity into this subject! Colour me a humourless hag. Just … just keep being not-sexist, and I promise next week will be back to rainbows.