Femo-what?

At 18 I attended a youth camp called Summit Ministries in Colorado. At this 2 week Conservaitive training camp I was being trained on how to be a Conservative leader. There were a plethora of speakers including Dr. Ron Nash, Mark Cahill, Dr. David Noebel, Dr. Francis J. Beckwith and more. At this camp we were taught many things, basically all of the "hot button" Conservative issues. There was a lot of emphasis on The United States' founding fathers. We were taught that this was a "Christian Nation" that has strayed from it's "godly roots". I enjoyed attending the camp because I loved meeting new people and it was nice feeling like I belonged to a "club". I didn't care if things sounded intolerant or cruel. Lessons were explained to me in a way that seemed enticing and and rebellious against "mainstream left propaganda". I love feeling like I am going against the "norm". My favorite speaker was Dr. Noebel. He was funny and cleaver. My fellow classmates and I would jot down his silly quotes and repeat them later at lunch or free time. Our preferred quote was "Put that in your pipe and smoke it". At one of our classes he was speaking on Feminism. He broke down feminism like this.
Feminism:
1.) Femo-Nazis = There are actually only 29 of them and they believe there are not enough abortions.
2.) Femo-Noids = We put one man on the moon, let's put them all there.
3.) Femo-Nists = All women are victims to men and their Christ is "Christa".

During those two weeks we were in classes for about 5 hours each day. At not one of these daily lessons were we given a definition of Feminism or Feminist. The Webster Dictionary defines Feminism as 1: The theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. 2: Organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.
One of the speakers, Dr. Nash, had this to say about Feminists: "Feminist theology contends that the historic Christian faith must be repudiated as a haven for patriarchal sexism that oppresses women even as "capitalism" according to the Marxist view oppresses the poor." -Nash pg 50 "Is Jesus the Only Savior." Dr. Nash also describes feminists this way; "feminists are actually angry at God/nature for creating them female. They believe that menstruation, child raising, birthing and pregnancy are shackles that they need to be liberated from. Birth control and abortions are their only liberation."

If you are unaware, I am a feminist and I am learning what it means to truly be a feminist. This is a very new concept for me. Growing up in a Conservative Christian family, I was never taught anything positive about Feminists or Feminism. It was simply the other "F" word. Women were to remain quiet and submissive. They would act foolish and had little to no control over emotions. Now that I am learning more about women, I feel empowered! Women empowerment was looked down upon in my upbringing. I am learning to recognize things in my life that are demeaning to women as will as misogynistic. I would encourage you to take a look back at your past and remember the lessons taught to you about women and gender roles as well as expectations for women and girls. The subjects are practically endless. I will touch on as many topics as I can in later posts. Today, I wanted to share with you this post I found online about the Twilight books. For the record, I am not a fan of the story or movies (of course, for reasons that aren't valid to this post :))
It was from a website that promotes "traditional gender roles in men and women". This was written by a Christian woman as praise to the characters portrayed in the Twilight series. "the [Twilight] saga portrays “traditional” roles for male and female at a time when it is highly counter-cultural to do so. Bella isn’t a male-kicking, karate-chopping, independent, domineering heroine. She’s gentle, soft, and vulnerable. Her character flies in the face of the tough-girl image that’s portrayed by most contemporary movies. I think young girls intuitively know that the prevalent portrayal of women as tough doesn't match who they are. The average teen senses that she’s not wired that way. She longs to be the princess in a traditional fairy tale romance. She wants to be a woman. And she wants a man to be a man. A young woman intuitively yearns for someone who will pursue her, protect her, and cherish her beauty and vulnerability. She yearns for a man to love her at a deep personal and emotional level—and not just a physical, sexual one. Regardless of culture's attempts at egalitarian brainwashing, the man of her dreams is still a strong, handsome prince charming who fights for her, and rescues her. He loves her, commits to her, and selflessly sets aside personal interest for the sake of her best interest." Mary Kassian (emphasis added).
These are the gender roles that I will later go into as much detail as I can to expose the ways in which they are unnecessary to a healthy life and relationships. I beg you to think for yourself: Where is the proof that women need a man to pursue her? Does a women need to have a man in her life to feel complete fulfillment? What is man rescuing women from?

Help me break these stereotypes!

somewhat entertaining website: "Feminism is Evil!"
Twilight Article
Dr. Nash speaking on Abortion and Feminism

Right to Love

Yesterday was huge. The first time in United States history a standing president affirmed same-sex couples, saying: “I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” President Barack Obama, May 9th 2012 ...

This broadcast on Good Morning America has sparked much debate. Those on the Right can't see past the potential political intentions to secure votes in November and the Left is proud, however, the President made sure to stress that this was his personal position, and that he still supports the concept of states deciding on this issue. Nevertheless, the President has proven time and time again in his administration that he supports same sex couples, from repelling Don't Ask Don't Tell, to signing the Hate Crimes act into law, to clearing the way for hospital visitation rights for same sex couples.
We have come a long way and still have barriers to break and stigmas to demolish. Much like the years leading up to The Civil Rights Movement in the 50's and 60's where African Americans were seen as lesser humans for being, well, black. We are witnessing same sex couples denied rights and being discriminated against for existing as well. Voting to decide if "rights" should be granted to another human is wrong. That is why they are called rights! Passing laws to protect religious groups who speak out against same sex couples is backwards and wrong! In April 2012, a Kansas bill called "Religious Freedom Act" passed 91-33. The bill states that Kansans cannot use religion to justify discrimination based on gender, race or ethnicity. However, sexual orientation or gender identification are not protected under this bill. An employer can not fire an employee because of their race, but, under the bill they will have the right to terminate employees if they discover their employee is in a same sex relationship. This is discrimination, is wrong and needs to change.

Needless to say, today, I am proud to be an American. I am optimistic that in my lifetime same sex couples will be allowed to wed or divorce like their straight neighbor. They can run to Vegas and elope, have a grand wedding in Napa Valley or throw a modern party in a Manhattan Penthouse on 5th Avenue.

There are many bridges to be built and mountains to climb before we reach equality. I will stand and support my LGBQT community until that day comes!! Watch this:    

Obama's Speech
Kansas Bill