Because I care.

I care about women. And men. And all the other genders.

I care about the LGBT's, all races, no matter what they believe.

You know why? Because we're all human.

Earlier in my college career, when I was an education major, I was asked to write a paper in which I had to talk about if I agreed or disagreed with same-sex couples not being allowed to go to their prom.

Of course, I strongly disagreed.

And I said, "I am a straight female and I support gay and lesbian rights because one simple fact: We are all human. Every person walking on this earth is made up of the same atoms, supported by the same bones, and loves with the same heart, so why does it matter who we love?"

Being a feminist means loving everyone.

We don't burn bras, and we don't hate men.

One quote I really like that sums up all Feminist beliefs is this: "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people."

We don't want to be more powerful than men. We just want to be seen as equals.

This shouldn't be such a radical thing.

We care about victims in rape, domestic abuse, [insert traumatizing act here], and we don't victim blame. And we actually understand men can be victims, too.

You know what else? We understand that men shouldn't have to live their lives controlled by unrealistic, and honestly just plain stupid, gender roles.

Society says that men have to be strong, play sports, and can only show emotion through anger or they're being a "girl" and they're pussies.

That's just as bad as females being told they need to be irresistible and sexy but can't have too much sex or they're a slut.

Please tell me how that works. I'm dying to know.

We care about being able to take care of ourselves. Yes, I'm talking about birth control and plan B and overall reproductive care. That whole gray area.

I was raised my whole life Catholic but I've taken birth control since I was a teenager, and no, I've never had an abortion, or ever will, but I respect women who decide to make that decision. Even though I am a women, too, I have no right to judge or hinder another women for a choice she makes about her own body. Also, I want them to be safe and not kill themselves trying to do so by their own hand all because that procedure is banned or is too expensive. That's why we need affordable clinics.

Feminists fight for equality not only for women but for everyone.

We might not understand each other's life choices, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't respect and uplift each other. And dare I say, love each other?

Because we're all human. But humanist doesn't exactly have that ring to it.

So that's why I'm a feminist.