I need feminism because I shouldn’t have felt embarrassed or ashamed that my boyfriend was abusing me

I need feminism because I should be allowed to wear a t-shirt with a female artist on without being called a “lesbian.”

“I need feminism, because when my Dad says he’s building a track in the backyard people shouldn’t assume it’s for my brother.”

I’ve been working on a BMX track for my daughter and I to ride, but any time it comes up I’m met with, “Isn’t Logan to small for that?” or “Trin really rides that good?”. Hell yeah my daughter rides! She got me back into it after years of not riding and she’s braver than most boys her age. She has been an inspiration for me and I am so proud of her. And when she clears her first dub, I’ll be there with the camera so she can show everybody just how bad ass she is!

I need feminism because I shouldn’t feel like I have to justify my opinion when arguing against sexist views. Nor should I have to explain why sexist jokes are unacceptable. Women deserve equality and this cannot happen when everyday sexism still exists. 

I need feminism because I’m sick of unfamiliar men calling me “sweetie” or other terms of endearment instead of asking my name.

We don’t know each other. Stop referring to me as if I’m your daughter of girlfriend or something. It’s creepy.

I need feminism because having female leaders doesn’t mean gender equality has been achieved. 

I need feminism because people are still ashamed to call themselves feminists. 

My country has been ruled by a woman once, but wage gap is still high and violence against women is still common. I need feminism because people still use “We already have a female president” as an excuse to stop feminism.

I need feminism because I still feel ashamed or self-concious when I don’t pluck/shave/wax.

My body hair is natural, why should I be perceived as ‘disgusting’ or ‘freakish’ when I don’t get rid of it?

I need feminism because my “girly” music is a “mood killer”

and music produced by women is inherently not as good, or not “suitable” for a party situation, rendering my ipod unable to be played at a “friend“‘s house.

I need feminism because I shouldn’t have felt embarrassed or ashamed that my boyfriend was abusing me

I need feminist because I’m tired of people thinking I’m CRAZY for not wanting to get married or have kids!

I need feminism because…

- if I socialize with a group of people from work, then I must be “fucking or dating one of them.”
-I shouldn’t have to fear my reputation and respect from my shipmates being slandered and jeopardized.
-if you’r a female in the military, you’re either a whore or a lesbian.
-the validity of what i say and my ability to perform at work should not have to be compared to and weighed against my male counterparts to be deemed adequate.
-I can’t come to work without the fear that my SHIPMATES are going to bully and harass me.

A little background… I’m a 19 y/o girl in the United States Navy. I work as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, I repair and troubleshoot plane engines. I LOVE my job, nothing is more satisfying than coming back to my room covered in grease with dirty camis and coveralls. 

The first week I was here, I got stuck at the grocery store on base and my ride wasn’t coming. Three people from work came out and offered me a ride, and I got invited to a cookout the next day. After that weekend, I was asked by my supervisor if I’d met anyone yet/gotten out, and I replied that I went to a cookout with those people. That was all that I said - I went to a cookout at their house, and that was it. Because that WAS it.

About 3 weeks later, rumors had been spread that I was dating one of them and that one of my friends was dating the other. I actually found out that a girl in my work center was contributing to the rumor, after I snapped at her on a bad day she commented to one of my shipmates, “She’s just mad because she had to break up with her boyfriend because the command knows.” … knows what? I broke up with my boyfriend from Atlanta 3 weeks ago, and now I’m single and currently talking to a girl out in California from school. I am preoccupied with about a million other things, why would I be trying to date anyone here? Everyone is an ASSHOLE and not worth my time because all that guys want in the Navy is a good fuck and then to talk all about it. 

In short, I should not have to come to work and watch every little thing that I say, have no-one to confide in, because it may be seen as something else and then turn into a huge rumor/lie that was spread by these people that are my “SHIPMATES”, people who are supposed to have my back all along the way. I need feminism to feel comfortable and confident at work without the fear that my reputation and career, as well as the ones of those kind people involved, is being jeopardized because I met some cool people and people misconstrue that as fraternization.

I shouldn’t need feminism because I shouldn’t have to defend myself to my own fucking comrades.

Please pardon the language and length. 

I need feminism because I am fed up of being treated unfairly in the 21st century.

I need feminism because boys think it’s okay to touch my ass and boobs even when I’ve clearly said NO.

Even when I don’t say anything, it doesn’t give ANYONE a right to touch me wherever they desire. Yes means yes, and if they don’t say yes then don’t try it.