Contrary to some misguided folks, men and women are NOT equal, being a feminist does NOT mean you hate men, and dating men and being a feminist are not mutually exclusive.

Feminists can date whoever the hell they want, and dating a man is inno way correlated to your status as a feminist.

If you're a feminist who dates men, it can be difficult. You'll encounter men who want to argue that men and women are totally equal (because he would know, right?). You'll find that some men agree with the "feminist agenda" of making men and women equal, but he doesn't want to use the label "feminist". He'd rather be called a "humanist" or "egalitarian.

One thing I have realized is that anyone can be a feminist, but not everyone is as outspoken about it as a lot of us are. Some people are simply not as politically-fueled as us, as much as you may want them to be. However, this does not mean they are less of a feminist. My boyfriend is a feminist, but he doesn't parade around campus in a "feminist" sweatshirt or with buttons on his backpack illustrating his political views like me. It's simply not his personality, but his understated support still matters.

There are also men who believe going around and bragging about being a feminist is going to get them laid, so just be careful. Use your gut.

Being a feminist means realizing that you don't need a man to be successful, but you're still allowed to love one.

Media often portrays women as being incomplete without a man. This is simply not true, and is damaging to impressionable, young girls. Women can be happy and successful regardless of whether or not they have a man. There is no rule stating that men are off-limits if you're a feminist (who also happens to be attracted to men). Go on and date men if that's what you want to do.

Be empowered in knowing that a man does not complete you, but can be part of your happiness if you so choose.