[Question] As an Australian man, what can I do to further the feminist cause?

I'm so glad you're doing this already, but you're right that people sometimes react badly to it. My best advice would be to try and avoid making the conversation adversarial. Men oftentimes feel attacked and belittled when people point out these toxic beliefs.

When speaking with my friends, I'll oftentimes try and pull them into a conversation about these types of comments in whatever way will work particularly well with them. Have a friend who is very logical? Talk about the negative outcomes and double standards behind these misogynistic comments. Have a very emotional friend? Appeal to how he would feel if someone made that type of comment about him or a woman that he loves.

More than anything else, try and show how getting rid of these toxic beliefs and behaviors has bettered your life. It's sad, but people are selfish. They want to know how this benefits them and why. This is a much more indirect way of addressing things, but it really can help with individuals who get defensive and dislike change. Striving for equality benefits everyone as a whole, not just women. Also, make sure to point out that everyone is fallible. Everyone sometimes slips up and phrases things badly or makes inappropriate comments. Make sure to combat the toxic ideas themselves and not the person.

As for what you can do, I suggest finding some kind of organization near you that regularly tackles issues of inequality. When I was in college, I interned with a Men's Initiative program that worked to get men more involved in combating violence against women. This was primarily by having discussions with men about what masculinity is to them and what they like and dislike about gender norms. There aren't nearly enough organizations around the world that do this, but if you look for local initiatives you may be able to find something.

/r/Feminism Thread Parent