I'm a male feminist. No, seriously

By John Brougher, Special to CNN

Updated 1348 GMT (2148 HKT) October 8, 2013

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Jimmy Carter has spent much of his time post-presidency as a human rights activist and author. The rights of women was high on the agenda during his <a href="http://www.cartercenter.org/news/features/p/human_rights/2013-policy-forum-remarks.html" target="_blank">speech in May at the Carter Center conference</a> and now the former U.S. president wants to write a book on the treatment of women. In his book proposal, as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/business/media/jimmy-carter-seeks-to-write-book-on-treatment-of-women.html?_r=1&" target="_blank">reported by The New York Times</a>, he wrote: "I am convinced that discrimination against women and girls is one of the world's most serious, all-pervasive and largely ignored violations of basic human rights."

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

Famous men who are feminists – Jimmy Carter has spent much of his time post-presidency as a human rights activist and author. The rights of women was high on the agenda during his speech in May at the Carter Center conference and now the former U.S. president wants to write a book on the treatment of women. In his book proposal, as reported by The New York Times, he wrote: "I am convinced that discrimination against women and girls is one of the world's most serious, all-pervasive and largely ignored violations of basic human rights."

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<a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/david-cameron-feminist-conservatives-channel-4-news" target="_blank">Jon Snow of UK's Channel 4</a> news recently asked British Prime Minster David Cameron if he is a feminist. Cameron said: "... if that means equal rights for women, then yes. If that is what you mean by feminist, then yes, I am a feminist."

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

David Cameron – Jon Snow of UK's Channel 4 news recently asked British Prime Minster David Cameron if he is a feminist. Cameron said: "... if that means equal rights for women, then yes. If that is what you mean by feminist, then yes, I am a feminist."

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"My mom brought me up to be a feminist. She was active in the movement in the 60s and 70s. The Hollywood movie industry has come a long way since its past. It certainly has a bad history of sexism, but it ain't all the way yet," said Joseph Gordon-Levitt during an interview while promoting his new film "Don Jon" at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – "My mom brought me up to be a feminist. She was active in the movement in the 60s and 70s. The Hollywood movie industry has come a long way since its past. It certainly has a bad history of sexism, but it ain't all the way yet," said Joseph Gordon-Levitt during an interview while promoting his new film "Don Jon" at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLgptCjGP_k" target="_blank">Speaking at Yale University in 2010</a> Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company said: "I would say that real drivers of the "Post-American World" won't be China ... or India ... or Brazil -- or any nation. The real drivers will be women. Women leaders, Women entrepreneurs, political, academic and cultural leaders -- and women innovators. The truth is women already are the most fastest-growing, dynamic economic force in the world today."

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

Muhtar Kent – Speaking at Yale University in 2010 Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company said: "I would say that real drivers of the "Post-American World" won't be China ... or India ... or Brazil -- or any nation. The real drivers will be women. Women leaders, Women entrepreneurs, political, academic and cultural leaders -- and women innovators. The truth is women already are the most fastest-growing, dynamic economic force in the world today."

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"Women should never forget that it is common for powerful and seemingly self-assured males to have more than a bit of the Wizard of Oz in them. Pull the curtain aside, and you'll often discover they are not supermen after all. (Just ask their wives!)" wrote Warren Buffett in a <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/02/leadership/warren-buffett-women.pr.fortune/index.html" target="_blank">Fortune op-ed in May</a>.

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

Warren Buffett – "Women should never forget that it is common for powerful and seemingly self-assured males to have more than a bit of the Wizard of Oz in them. Pull the curtain aside, and you'll often discover they are not supermen after all. (Just ask their wives!)" wrote Warren Buffett in a Fortune op-ed in May.

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U.S. singer John Legend performs on stage at the "Chime For Change: The Sound Of Change Live" concert on June 1, 2013 in London, England. At a press conference prior to his performance, he said: "All men should be feminists. If men care about women's rights the world will be a better place."

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

John Legend – U.S. singer John Legend performs on stage at the "Chime For Change: The Sound Of Change Live" concert on June 1, 2013 in London, England. At a press conference prior to his performance, he said: "All men should be feminists. If men care about women's rights the world will be a better place."

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"I call myself a feminist. Isn't that what you call someone who fights for women's rights?" said the Dalai Lama during his International Freedom Award acceptance speech, presented in 2009 by the National Civil Rights Museum.

Photos: Famous men who are feminists

Dalai Lama – "I call myself a feminist. Isn't that what you call someone who fights for women's rights?" said the Dalai Lama during his International Freedom Award acceptance speech, presented in 2009 by the National Civil Rights Museum.

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David Cameron Conservative Party conference 2013

Story highlights

Male feminist John Brougher says feminism conjures images of radical ideology
Brougher identifies as a male feminist and often has to defend his position
Men have a crucial role to play in quashing sexism, says Brougher

Feminism's gotten a bad rap lately. For many, even just the word itself conjures up images of radical ideology.

Pop music star Taylor Swift and Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, to cite two famous examples, asserted that they're pro-equality, but won't identify as feminists.

Explaining her position in February of this year, Mayer noted that she didn't have the "militant drive" or "chip on her shoulder" that comes with feminism.

I'm not particularly militant, nor do I have a chip on my shoulder (I hope), but I get my share of weird reactions nonetheless. See, not only am I feminist, I'm a male feminist. People aren't always sure what to do with that.

"You're a man. Isn't that a contradiction?"

"Wait, are men allowed to be feminists?"

"Are you even a man at all?"

As far as I know, men are absolutely allowed to be feminists. And when I declare tha