May I just say that the term "Yetti-esque Lez-bollah" was my first good laugh of the day. Thank you.

Basically, I agree with StG. The answer to your question, Pelican, is yes. I myself am a committed feminist and a spunk of some renown*.

I find men extremely attractive and have in the past gone to extreme and some may say pathetic lengths to attract their attention. (Blonde was a mistake — it made my hair go stringy. So were hotpants.) That was before I settled down with a good bloke and let myself go, of course.

Having said that, while I wouldn't be in least offended if a man opened the door for me, I would never expect it either. Door, no door, compliments, no compliments — I'm happy with whatever. The only thing I am unhappy with — the thing I hate, and find deeply unsexy, no matter which gender spouts it — is discrimination, and the belief that women are in any way inferior because they are feminine. Or men who believe some women aren't sufficiently feminine and therefore are less womanly than others. See whathisface's criticisms of Julia Gillard, e.g.

So basically, yes, of course a woman can be a feminist and feminine. I think this question was settled in the affirmative some time ago.

* In my own lunchtime.

"May I just say that the term "Yetti-esque Lez-bollah" was my first good laugh of the day. Thank you."

*Tips hat*

It doesn’t matter what a woman looks like, feminine or otherwise.

In fact, one doesn’t have to be a female to be a feminist- luckily there are many men who advocate equal women’s rights and are committed to end discrimination. Luckily, we have a few of these wonderful men on our OLO forums

Some feminists are brutal in condemning men, it can become habitual.
I like, love feminists they helped me grow up, by overcoming the expected male role of childhood.
There have been some who were overly aggressive, I lived thru it, and formed my opinion of my own and their sexuality.
I try not to be aggressive and hope they will learn it's negative value, I never seek aggressive company and assume others are the same?
fluff4

I dunno about this 'feminine' or 'masculine' label.

People tell me I am very feminine - based on my appearance. I don't see myself as feminine at all I see myself as someone who just happened to be born female. Also I am a person who happens to be pretty good at so-called masculine skills: maths, reading maps, spatial orientation, design drafting and quite capable of performing minor repairs around the home or on my car. Handy person to have around if I may say so myself ;-)

I mostly wear jeans and docs, yet I still get called very feminine just because I'm a slim blue-eyed blond. The person who inhabits that blond is very different to what her appearance may suggest. This can be very annoying sometimes, because I am frequently underestimated - big mistake.

As for the label 'feminist' to my way of thinking it is much the same as 'humanist', by that I mean, all people are entitled to equality of opportunity AND respect.

On the courtesy thing.

I believe that it is a two way street. I don't expect doors to be opened for me just because. I have often held doors for men and vice versa, sometimes the men say that they should've opened the door - I say "Courtesy works both ways." I have given up my seat for pregnant women and frail elderly people (men and women).

Being courteous is not a prerogative of either sex, its just common sense.

And what do I value in a man?

Exactly the same things I value in women:

Humour
Integrity
Honesty
Intelligence
Self respect
Competence