“Crises are always positive because they force you to think,” Miuccia Prada said in a recent Vogue interview. At least in terms of the women’s movement, I would say that the current political instability has had a positive effect. Not so long ago, many women and men I met were barely tolerant of the word and idea of feminism; in the media, celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift used to directly reject the term feminist or coyly avoid answering the question. Now, though, the tide has definitely turned, and being a proud advocate for women’s rights is de rigueur for female *and* male celebrities.
Without further ado, I’ve compiled for you a list of male celebrities who have supported the women’s movement, thus winning our hearts forever.
John Cena
This one is a total surprise. Cena is a WWE star and, well, he looks like the burliest, most protein-powdered up of bros. (He was even cast as Amy Schumer’s dumb jock lover in Trainwreck. Watch it–he’s hilarious in it.) Not only does he have arms the size of your thighs, he also went on to say *this* about the recent surge in female bodybuilders, #fitchick, and #girlswholift.
“Why tell someone they can’t do something because it’s not typically feminine? Who is to define what is typically feminine? I think it’s wonderful. If someone has a gift at being overly strong, or someone has a passion [they should do it]…why should [gender] define what I do and what I don’t?”
Word, Cena. Or John. Can I call you John?
On the day of the Women’s March, Cena also sent out this awwww-inspiring tweet.
It’s days like this that make me love this country so very much. #WomensMarch country wide sending a strong message with peaceful protest.
— John Cena (@JohnCena) January 21, 2017
Call me a mush, but I think this wrestler is totally adorbs. Oh and he’s a 16-time WWE champion–which I never thought I’d say, but is kind of hot when mixed with feminism.
Jake Gyllenhaal
On the other end of the bro-spectrum is Jake Gyllenhaal, who always seemed like a sensitive, compassionate soul–and indeed is, in real life. Hallelujah! First, let’s bask in the warmth of this irresistible photo of siblings Gyllenhaal at the Women’s March…
And then admire this Facebook post by Gyllenhaal, wherein he calls women “the real stewards of our country’s soul.” That beanie! That beard! That right hand balled up into a fist! That cheeky sign!! He is perfect. (Side note: Look at that young woman on the left photo-bombing Jake with the happiest smile ever–probably thinking “OMG IS THAT JAKE GYLLENHAAL?!”)
John Legend
On the day of the Women’s March, John Legend took to the streets in Park City, Utah while wifey Chrissy Teigen (also an outspoken feminist) joined the femmes in Washington D.C. But don’t you dare think Legend is just hopping on the recent pussy hat trend! He went on record in 2013 to say “All men should be feminists. If men care about women’s rights the world will be a better place… We are better off when women are empowered — it leads to a better society.” Bravo!
Mark Ruffalo
In 2013, Ruffalo penned a public letter defending the women’s right to choose. “I am a man. I could say this has nothing to do with me. Except I have two daughters and I have a mother who was forced to illegally have an abortion in her state where abortion was illegal when she was a very young woman,” Ruffalo wrote, and his I’m-a-guy-but-I-care-about-this thing going on is really making us weak in the knees.
Then in 2015, he further cemented his feminist hottie status by posting on his Tumblr a warning to all “I’m not a feminist” women (cough Taylor Swift cough). “First of all, it’s clear you don’t know what feminism is. But I’m not going to explain it to you. You can google it… You’re insulting every woman who was forcibly restrained in a jail cell with a feeding tube down her throat for your right to vote, less than 100 years ago. You’re undermining every woman who fought to make marital rape a crime (it was legal until 1993)…In short, kiss my ass you ignorant little jerks.”
Finally, Ruffalo is also a climate change and pro-environment advocate. All right, it’s official–he should be crowned a Peaceful Dumpling Crush of the Year.
Ryan Gosling
Not only is everyone’s internet boyfriend the subject of a runaway hit Tumblr Feminist Ryan Gosling (note: not authorized by him), he’s also super outspoken about his appreciation of women IRL.
“I think women are better than men,” the La La Land star has said. “They are stronger, more evolved. You can tell especially when you have daughters and you see their early stages, they are just leaps and bounds beyond boys immediately…I’ve always liked women more. I was brought up by my mother and older sister… I found my way into dance class. My home life now is mostly women. They are better than us. They make me better.”
Which feminist hunk are you crushing on?
Related: Why Vegans Should Identify As Feminist (& Vice Versa)
3 Modern Feminist Icons to Inspire You
Why “Man Tax” Is Actually A Brilliant Way to Fight Gender Gap
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Photo: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Legend, Mark Ruffalo, all via Instagram
