The feminist part is very true.

I even go as far as to think that men being ridiculed for liking MLP is something women should be concerned about.

It shows we don't value feminine things as much as we value masculine things.

Things like TMNT, DBZ, Legend of Zelda, Etc (masculine things) aren't generally frowned about when women take interest in it. In fact, some men may even find it appealing that women would take interest in something like that.

It's like a step up; an expanded resume. Not only is she a woman, but she can connect easier with her when you have a common interest.

But when we flip it all opposite, suddenly it's not so good. That man likes to watch MLP is often seen with a negative connotation. You get the insults and fears, like you mentioned.

A man liking feminine things becomes a step down.

So women, men getting ridiculed for liking MLP isn't just a guy thing. It's a woman thing as well. It's a sign that society doesn't value femininity as much as it does masculinity. We see parents encourage their daughters to be doctors instead of nurses or sport players instead of cheerleaders on the side lines.

But how often do we see parents encourage their sons to play with that doll or paint their nails; something the boy may want.

And it extends to MLP. We don't see women getting ridiculed for attending a yearly convention while cross dressing (because that's what Comic Con is. A bunch of women dressed up as either Vegeta, Link, etc. Male characters).

But bronies start popping up and suddenly it's, stop the presses, someone get Howard Stern on the phone. We've NEVER seen something so weird before.

So again, it may seem like a male issue, but in reality, it's just femininity being put at a lower tier under masculinity by our society. And women, you oughta be pissed. I know I would be. F#&$ society.

So yes, OP. You are right in claiming that it is a feminist issue. It definitely involves gender and there definitely is a imbalance.

*sigh*

Here we go, boys. I have a bad, bad feelin' about this.

Not to say I disagree with what you say, if you aren't being a bigot about it. I've seen a lot of SJWs who pay lip service to buzz words such as "feminism" and "social justice" while being total pricks. Not sure here. Can't make a judgement.

Good day.

*sigh*

Here we go, boys. I have a bad, bad feelin' about this.

Not to say I disagree with what you say, if you aren't being a bigot about it. I've seen a lot of SJWs who pay lip service to buzz words such as "feminism" and "social justice" while being total pricks. Not sure here. Can't make a judgement.

Good day.

Fret not, I despise SJWs, too. SJWs are a lot like TERFs, in which they aren't vying for civil rights, but exploiting others to look after themselves. Their brand of "social justice" goes against everything I stand for.

Well, some of my hope in the community just got restored then. Thank you, sir. Have a nice day, again.

Good article. I agree that all gender norm-based discrimination is wrong. I think bronies will be more widely accepted with time. (My family has never made a big deal about my being one, which I really appreciate.)

Fret not, I despise SJWs, too. SJWs are a lot like TERFs, in which they aren't vying for civil rights, but exploiting others to look after themselves. Their brand of "social justice" goes against everything I stand for.

Amen to that, my friend! Those people are doing more harm than good. 

My thoughts are:

The fact that admitting to liking a girls cartoon is a HUGE deal to some people is what the problem is. While I don't think being a brony should be a "huge deal" I also believe those who make it out to be like it has somehow "ruined" someone for admitting they like a cartoon are part of the problem. It's 2016, admitting you like a girl's cartoon should not change anyone's perspective on you. I wouldn't say it's an issue with LGBTQ+ I would say it's an issue with the same mentality that they face when they are coming out. While LGBTQ+ deal with this problem, I wouldn't say it's an issue that is directly related to them, but the mentality that opposes them. So they can still relate to this issue heavily, but it's not exclusive to them.

I'm not much of a liberal or a conservative, because I believe that issues which revolve around people being denied basic rights need to be changed QUICKLY and some other issues require gradual change to resolve. I'm more of an independent myself.

Now are there problems within the brony community? Totally. Every fandom has issues, some more than others, but hating on bronies simply for existing is unacceptable. Criticism should be focused (constructively if possible) on individuals who are legitimately doing something terrible or harmful. It's a double edged sword, while criticizing bronies for simply existing is bad, not criticizing people who are doing something legitimately terrible or harmful because you're afraid of making bronies themselves look bad is equally harmful. An example would be Matthew Beard who literally wanted to marry a Twilight Sparkle plushie. While many would say such a person needs mental health care, he had a legion of people supporting him with "love and tolerate" plastered all over his wall. This is not helping the man, he needs to seek professional help because his condition is harmful to himself because it's clear he may have lost touch with reality and endorsing his behavior more or less makes other people think that bronies think it's acceptable to behave like that. It's not about "not" criticizing, it's about knowing when the criticism is needed and when it's helpful.

It's the same as LGBT and social justice, you have to know when it's appropriate to criticize certain people claiming to be "for the cause" because some people are not helping and even damaging the cause. An example would be Pinkie Pony who attempted to lead the "Down with Molestia" movement. While some people will agree that Molestia was an offensive character, Pinkie Pony was a blatant hypocrite who spoke against pornographic MLP material which she herself produced at times. In other words she held the mentality of "you can't do this, but I can." She is a bad leader and her interests are that only of herself and no one else. The truth is that Pinkie Pony did not care if she was protecting other people from anything, so long as she was getting what she wanted she was content.

The same can be said about false feminists such as Anita Sarkeesain who regularly has been proven wrong, but many feminists will still defend her in fear that if one feminist is proven to be a false leader who is in it for their own agenda that people will stop listening to feminism all together. This in turn damages feminism further because it gives the impression that feminists believe Anita is correct when she is not. The only solution is to not allow these false leaders to gain authority and when they do to quickly strip them of it when they are found out. Otherwise they will cause more damage in the long run.

An example would be Pinkie Pony who attempted to lead the "Down with Molestia" movement. While some people will agree that Molestia was an offensive character, Pinkie Pony was a blatant hypocrite who spoke against pornographic MLP material which she herself produced at times. In other words she held the mentality of "you can't do this, but I can." She is a bad leader and her interests are that only of herself and no one else. The truth is that Pinkie Pony did not care if she was protecting other people from anything, so long as she was getting what she wanted she was content.

I wonder what's the issue here. I mean... it's just... Why..? Rule 34 of the Internet is in force with everything, not to mention that in most cases unless you specifically search for porn based on something you aren't going to "just find it". Leave the cloppers alone. Damnit.

reading this makes me only more affraid to tell anyone that I like this show. Now with the whole feminism issue, even before I watched MLP I already asked questions like why are the things we see as female ,female. I was always afraid to ask these questions because people don't like it when you blurr the borders (male and female). To see that a show like MLP can actually not only bring generations together but also get people ask these questions is amazing (now if we could integrate this in equestria girls aswell that would be amazing.

even before I watched MLP I already asked questions like why are the things we see as female ,female. I was always afraid to ask these questions because people don't like it when you blurr the borders (male and female).

Asking those questions is very important. Whenever we challenge societal gender norms by asking questions, you're challenging their line of thinking. To sexists, gender norms are a layer of comfort, and they shove social constructs down our throats. To break down that comfort, challenge that line of thinking; asking questions about gender norms is one idea. Don't let them succumb to the "Just because" reason. The British nonprofit organization Let Toys Be Toys challenges that sexism all the time and is responsible for integrating so-called "girl" and "boy" toys into one single aisle for several stores, including Toys R Us UK.

The fact that admitting to liking a girls cartoon is a HUGE deal to some people is what the problem is. While I don't think being a brony should be a "huge deal" I also believe those who make it out to be like it has somehow "ruined" someone for admitting they like a cartoon are part of the problem. It's 2016, admitting you like a girl's cartoon should not change anyone's perspective on you.

This...so much.

The fact that admitting to liking a girls cartoon is a HUGE deal to some people is what the problem is. While I don't think being a brony should be a "huge deal" I also believe those who make it out to be like it has somehow "ruined" someone for admitting they like a cartoon are part of the problem. It's 2016, admitting you like a girl's cartoon should not change anyone's perspective on you.

This...so much.

The problem of boys and men being ostracized for liking supposedly feminine things dates back decades. Friendship Is Magic is just one primary example, and it's the best because you have a large male brony following with a lot of anti-brony anecdotes.

The problem's root is how society and the people who cherish these norms shove them down those who don't conform, including men who like ponies. The bullying of bronies for not conforming is a symptom of a much larger problem. To challenge it, go after the source: decades-old gender roles. Question the validity of gender norms to make the sexists think, and don't relent. Challenge the sexism as a whole. Don't be afraid to admit you're sick of sexists discriminating others for not conforming to gender norms. Your hypothesis is valid, but you're also flicking off the leaves when you should prune the branches.

Partly much the reason why I've been thinking about becoming fit, taking up martial arts and maybe even weapons training. If I am self-sufficient, I cannot feel threatened from facing being disowned because "I don't need them". It makes it much easier to consider such people as nothing but baggage and I do like to travel light.

By definition you are vulnerable when you are your authentic self and eventually all of us learn that vulnerability is punished in a socially hostile or toxic environment. Lacking vulnerability and having self-sufficiency is comforting in such an environment as it gives you a sense of security and protection. Thinking about it, the vision of true social justice appears to include a world where everyone can be open and vulnerable. I really like the concept, I wish we do live in such a world and believe it is worth fighting for but again and again I am reminded that people suck. Good people are incredibly rare, like precious gems in a world of ash and sludge mixed with the plain sand and rock. I must find ways of protecting myself from those that wish to do me harm. When you live in a world with monsters, its hard not become one yourself in some shape or form.

I think as far as the man's part goes men need to stand up for themselves and toughen up, instead of running away and crying or curling up into a ball and sobbing when you get bullied men need to stand tall , puff out their chest and give the bullies what for, yeah I like mlp so what? who do you think you are to tell me what I can or can't like or what's manly or not. you wanna confiscate my "man card" then come take it you coward.

standing your ground and standing up to bullies will effect change faster than running away and taking it everyday. it's just the way it is, when someone pushes you then you either push back or get pushed over

I must find ways of protecting myself from those that wish to do me harm. When you live in a world with monsters, its hard not become one yourself in some shape or form.

I was just telling my mom something like that yesterday. "I don't understand people. Sometimes they all seem like monsters to me." And they really do.