Famous men in support of feminism
John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Harry Styles, and Prince Harry are just some of the names we talk about here in this article.
Because real MEN are feminists.
John Legend
John Legend gives voice to feminism, advocating gender equality and women’s rights.
For the music video of his song ‘You and I’, he selected 63 women of various ages, sizes, and styles and asked them what they see when they look in the mirror. The women’s stories are told in the documentary ‘When I Look In The Mirror’. Both the documentary and the song are intended to praise female empowerment and are part of the #OperationGirl Charity Challenge, created by John and some associations. This aims to get various organizations to cooperate in educating and protecting the rights of women around the world.
In 2013, during a concert, John Legend stated “All men should be feminists. If men cared about women’s rights, the world would be better.” That same year he created – The Sound of Change Live – a concert he did alongside Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding, and Florence and the Machine, among other singers where they raised money to donate to an association that helps women – Chime For Change.
Justin Timberlake
By coincidence, in 2013, Justin Timberlake released a song whose name was the same as a foundation that fights rape – “Take Back The Night”.
When he realized it, Justin wanted to learn more about this organization and bring visibility to this issue “I learned more about The Take Back The Night foundation, and I feel compelled to measure up to the efforts to end violence against women, create safe communities and encourage respectful relationships towards them – something everyone should do. I hope that this coincidence will bring more awareness to this cause.”
Barack Obama
In 2016, Barack Obama wrote an article about female empowerment for an American magazine. In this article, he defends feminism and says that men should fight against machismo.
“Feminism in the 21st century is this: when everyone is treated equally, we are all free.”
Andy Murray
Andy Murrau marked his career not only for his achievements in tennis but also, for always having advocated the importance of gender equality, in the world and sport.
One of the most defining events of his career was the decision in 2014 to hire a female coach – Amelia Mauresmo. “I knew that working with Amelie would cause speculation because few players before me had worked with a woman coach. I imagined that this might create a feeling of mistrust and even negativity. But what I didn’t realize was that Amelie would have to face so much criticism and prejudice. I had a bad start to the season, and things have only gotten better since she arrived. I was 11th in the rankings and now I’m 3rd. That speaks for itself. Her skills have always been questioned, and I feel ashamed (…) Have I become a feminist? Well, if being a feminist is fighting for a woman to be treated the same as a man, then yes, I have become a feminist.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Early on, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt defines himself as a “male feminist” and gives credit to the upbringing his mother gave him, he maintains that his mother raised him and his brother to stand with women in the fight for rights and equality.
You don’t let your gender define who you are—you can be who you want to be, whether you’re a man, a woman, a boy, a girl, whatever. However you want to define yourself, you can do that and should be able to do that, and no category ever really describes a person because every person is unique. That, to me, is what “feminism” means. So yes, I’d absolutely call myself a feminist. And if you look at history, women are an oppressed category of people. 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. I’m a believer that if everyone has a fair chance to be what they want to be and do what they want to do, it’s better for everyone. It benefits society as a whole.”
Harry Styles
Harry Styles is known for speaking openly on behalf of the LGBTQI+ community, Black Lives Matter among others. He also supported the campaign “HeForShe – a solidarity movement for gender equality. In 2020, he was on the cover of Vogue magazine with the purpose that “clothes have no gender”.
“I grew up with my mum and my sister — when you grow up around women, your female influence is just bigger. Of course, men and women should be equal. I don’t want a lot of credit for being a feminist.”
Daniel Craig
In Daniel Craig’s career, his role as James Bond stands out. Léa Seydoux, one of his colleagues, in a testimonial about the actor, says that “Craig transformed a character considered misogynist into a feminist, which is very important.
Daniel Craig dressed up as a woman in an institutional video for the NGO We Are Equals to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Prince Harry
In a speech made in June 2013, Prince Harry stated, “Real men treat women with dignity and give them the respect they deserve.” His wife, Megan Markle, repeatedly praises him for exercising fatherhood in a feminist way. In a conversation with Gloria Steinem, he said “There is no shame in being someone who stands up for fundamental human rights for everyone, which of course includes women.”
“We know that when women are empowered, they improve the lives of everyone around them, their families, their communities, and their countries.”
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder, lead singer of the band Pearl Jam, declared himself in favor of legalizing abortion – “It’s no joke. It’s not a religious issue. It’s about the future of women” he stated. “I’m usually good with my temper, but all these men who try to control women’s bodies really start to piss me off,” Eddie said during a concert in 1994.
Throughout his career he has promoted the fight for a modern world that accepts and promotes women – he has fought for reproductive rights, spoken out against sexual assault, among other issues. In 2018, during a concert, he gave a feminist speech in favor of gender equality.
Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler has always promoted the role of women in great films and in his productions. “I feel that women are better filmmakers than men” – said the director. He even states that being in a meeting where there are few or no women is not healthy for the creative process. “The way women see things and make comments is radically different. And when you have that balance, it’s a real asset.”
Ryan pleads several times, for there to be more women actors and producers. He believes that the film world will be better with more women telling the stories.
HERSTORY Makes History 03, August 2022