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Entertainment April 29, 2020
Here is a list of men who are not just talented artists, but advocates for gender equality.
Who says that men can’t be feminists? Many male celebrities are joining their female counterparts in fighting for women’s rights. This includes battling major societal issues such as equal pay or sexual abuse in the workplace. Here are four male celebrity feminists aiding in the fight against sexism and advocating for equal rights.
In 2018, Benedict Cumberbatch joined many other male celebrity feminists when he made headlines during an interview with Radio Times. Cumberbatch suggested that he won’t take jobs where his female co-stars are paid any less than him. He then suggested that other male actors should follow suit. In an article written by CNBC, Cumberbatch is quoted as saying:
“Look at your quotas. Ask what women are being paid, and say: ‘If she’s not being paid the same as the men, then I’m not doing it.’”
This interview came four years after Benedict was photographed wearing a “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” t-shirt for Elle UK.
Terry Crews is known for his lovable and funny demeanor in movies and television shows like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” He has had quite a lengthy career, starting with football and then making the move to television.
In 2017, the world found out about the allegations of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein. This sparked the #MeToo movement not just in Hollywood, but all over the world. Crews famously showed audiences his vulnerable side when he spoke of his own encounter with sexual assault.
It was difficult for Crews to go public with his own experience. Nevertheless, in an interview with Time, he called on men to hold each other accountable for their actions. In a video posted on Time’s site, Crews says:
“Until men stand up and say, ‘This harassment, this abuse, these assaults are wrong’ – nothing will change.”
As one of the many male celebrity feminists speaking out today, Crews has become a staple in the fight against sexual assault.
John Legend is no doubt a talented man. He’s a wonderful musician, father, and his charming relationship with wife Chrissy Teigen is what fairy tales are made of. Legend is also a devout feminist and advocate for gender-fluidity.
Legend joined the “Axe Collective”, which was an initiative by the Axe brand to help fight against toxic masculinity in society and advertising. In an interview with Racked, where Legend spoke of the Axe Collective, Feminism, and Shopping, Legend stated:
“I’m always suspicious of people who become feminists only when they have a daughter…I thought of myself as a feminist before I had a daughter and before I was married. Having a daughter might reinforce that, but it shouldn’t be the only reason I care about women’s rights.”
Joining the other male celebrity feminists on this list, Legend is a true role model for both men and women.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt made his way into America’s hearts when he was a young teen, starring in the television series, “Third Rock from the Sun.” Since then, he has become a writer, director, and social media mogul. However, in 2014, he made his way into the hearts of feminists everywhere when he came out in support of women’s rights.
Gordon-Levitt said in an interview with Time that he was genuinely surprised when he learned that some celebrities are against the term “feminism”:
“Coming out against the label? Wow. I guess I’m not aware of that. What that means to me is that 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.”
After the interview, Gordon-Levitt created a YouTube video explaining exactly what feminism means to him, adding in his own research.
Many celebrities are now advocates to fight against sexual assault, speak in favor of the #MeToo movement, and support equality. Above are only a few of the male celebrity feminists that are doing work to help aid in the fight for women’s rights to help ensure that, in the near future, change will be the new normal.
