Toxic Femininity: The Bear That Got Trump Elected

Don’t shoot the messenger — the results are in

I’m a straight white man, and I support women’s rights. I have voted for women’s rights my entire adult life. Once upon a time (in the 90s), I was considered very progressive — and took my fair share of heat because of it.

I was called a hippie and a tree hugger, which was a fair assessment even if it was intended as an insult, my long hair and Grateful Dead tie-dye notwithstanding.

I supported the legalization of marijuana, gay marriage, equal pay for women, and a woman’s right to choose.

I still do.

I never thought I would see Roe V. Wade overturned in my lifetime, but here we are.

Unless you’ve lived under a rock, you probably encountered the “Men vs. Bear” debate on social media in 2024.

Many women commented that they would feel safer stumbling upon a bear in the woods than a strange man. That’s telling, but not for the obvious reasons.

It’s telling that women are quick to answer without more information about the man or the bear.