The Feminist Hub

I don't think we need to overanalyze the use of "coming out" in Feminist Coming Out Day. It is natural, and okay, to give it some thoughts and considerations but I think the idea behind the coming out day counts more than the actual use of words. I can see how it might be annoying, or even a little bit hurtful, to some people but it's hard to always please everyone. I think that calling it a Feminist Coming Out Day is just another way to draw more attention and focus to feminism, to have a special day where you can show your friends/family/university/whatever that you are indeed a feminist and proud of it. Maybe they could have used a different word, but I think the purpose behind the day means more and is more important than the words themselves.

Anonymous

Hi anon.

Right the thing is the whole concept of “it’s hard to please everyone” is…well…problematic at best. Because we should be trying our hardest to please everyone, especially when an an oppressed group has literally said that a term is being appropriative.

It doesn’t matter how much attention calling the day “feminist coming out day” draws, if it’s oppressing people and erasing them and their struggles then it shouldn’t be used. Simple as that.

Yes, I’m really proud of being a feminist, but to proclaim that I’m proud, I will not oppress another group of people, some of which may be feminists themselves. The movement has done enough of erasing people in it’s history (see Trans* erasure, working class woman erasure, WOC erasure, to name but a few) and now, as a movement, we should be working hard to make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Some of the reason people from the QUILTBAG community do not want to associate themselves with feminism, is because of the erasure the movement has done.

You said yourself, that you can see how it might be hurtful, so how are you justifying the use of the term “coming out”?. Yes we should be proud to be feminist, but we shouldn’t be proud if the day that is about our pride, erases the experiences and identity’s of others. Being a feminist and being a member of the QUILTBAG community are not the same thing (trust me, I’m part of both) and as a movement, feminism needs to listen to the oppressed voices and not ignore them, because we feel the purpose behind the day means more that their voices. Because I can assure you, their voices matter so much more.

Hope I’ve helped, GK

Posted 1 year ago

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