[user104658]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

Well TS if you believe in gender equality, you're a feminist, you may not like it, but you are.

Because... who says so? You? I'm sorry but I disagree. I'm certainly not by the dictionary definition, as I pointed out above, and also, it is not insignificant that the word has been "hijacked". I reserve the right to refrain from referring to myself as a feminist - the word has been poisoned. I haven't voted on the poll at all for that reason - I'm hesitant to vote "no" because the implication then is that I don't believe in rights for women, but I refuse to arbitrarily refer to myself as "a feminist" (or as anything else, for that matter) just because a forum poll or a dubious definition says that I "must".

What it amounts to, ironically, is anti-male point scoring. "You HAVE to call yourself a feminist, so HAH!"

And yep you can be a masculist, however I don't believe masculism strives for equality.

"You don't believe" that it strives for equality so you wouldn't use that word. The dictionary definition, and the exact etymology, of the word is identical to feminism only advocating rights for males. Nothing more, nothing less. The point, though, is that I wouldn't use the word at all because I am aware of the connotations. Likewise, I don't believe that "modern feminism" strives for equality, either, hence I don't use the word "feminist" to describe myself.

Either way - apparently it's OK for you to reject the word "Masculist" but NOT OK for me to reject the word "Feminist"? Massive double standard.

Also do you get just as upset about the word mankind, or is that fine because it's a male word?

I don't get "upset" about the term "feminist", I just wouldn't refer to myself as one. It's also a bit contentious because whilst, yes, the word "mankind" is obviously focussed on the "male" in terms of etymology, it does actually in modern usage refer to all humans without exception. Feminism - despite the spammed (and cherry picked) dictionary definitions in this thread - is demonstrably NOT always focussed on equality for both genders. The word might be used as such by many people, but it is a FACT that there are large groups flying the banner of feminism who have absolutely no interest in "equality". The word has become a symbol and that symbol has been corrupted by people with other agendas. "You may not like it, but it has".

For the record, though... I personally would choose the word "humanity" over "mankind".