i try to understand the reasons for being female-bodied/passing and shaving – i did it for countless years myself! i don’t cut people down for doing so, and i don’t think they’re any less committed to the feminist cause than i am. but i also know that there are many more road blocks and hardships for those of us that are hairy, simply in terms of aesthetics within society. i regularly get called “disgusting”, “filthy”, and “gross” by my own fucking family members simply because i have body hair. i’ve had potential partners find out i have hairy legs and it become a “deal breaker” for them. i’ve had parents give me nervous yet unapologetic glances after their little children tug on their shirts asking, “why does that girl have hair on her legs?” i’ve gotten looks of horror and disbelief from my fellow classmates at my self-proclaimed progressive private liberal arts colleges when i raise my arms above my head or prop my bare legs upon a chair in front of me. some of my friends have commented that they’ve been “surprised” that i “smell kind-of good” since they think that hairy pits automatically equals dank (but not on cismen). i’ve even withstood comments from shaving feminists that say it is “so awesome” that i’m hairy, despite their opinion that my body hair is “disturbing”.
i think its safe to say that this type of shit doesn’t happen to female-bodied/passing feminists who shave. do i hate that they aren’t hairy like me? no. am i biased in favor of not shaving? yes. do i think its nice to take a little bit of extra time and proverbially high-five my fellow feminists who don’t shave? fuck yes i do. but what needs to be realized by smooth-legged feminists is that my pro-hair stance is not an anti-shaving stance. i simply intend to give extra and much-needed support my fellow non-shavers by having hairy solidarity. where else are they going to get it?
