Justin Trudeau ‘came out’ as a feminist because of Joseph Gordon Levitt

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Like most world leaders, Justin Trudeau has been in New York this week for the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Canadian prime minister has been in hot demand at panel discussions, sponsored events and more. These are some photos of some of Trudeau’s appearances on Wednesday, at the Goalkeepers initiative and a Bloomberg-sponsored discussion. To both events, Trudeau wore the same lovely grey suit and his bit of pizzazz was on his feet: the PM wore Chewbacca socks! A closer look:

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Justin Trudeau: nerd or nah? I think he’s probably quite nerdy. Meanwhile, at the Goalkeepers event, Trudeau talked about when he realized he could “come out” as a feminist.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that “Inception” actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt inspired him to publicly call himself a feminist. Trudeau told the crowd on Wednesday at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event, “I saw a video in 2014 of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, saying ‘Yeah, I’m a feminist’ . . . It wasn’t that, ‘Oh, I’m going to follow his lead.’ It was like, ‘Oh, OK, it’s OK for men to say that they are feminists in a public sense. Great, I’m going to finally do that.”

[From Page Six]

Is it just me or is this a terrible story? I would be embarassed if Barack Obama had said he decided to talk about feminism because he heard Ryan Gosling talk about it or whatever. I get that Trudeau is just referencing his realization that he could TALK about feminism, not that he actually became a feminist when he saw Joseph Gordon Levitt talk about it. But it’s still not great?

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Photos courtesy of Getty.

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63 Responses to “Justin Trudeau ‘came out’ as a feminist because of Joseph Gordon Levitt”

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  1. jferber says:

    Justin Trudeau is everything. Adore him and wish her were the American president. Hell, I’d also go for Trudeau’s cat (if he has one) replacing what we have as the American president. We’d be so much safer either way.

    • Juliette says:

      They bought their kids a Portuguese water dog about a year ago, named Kenzie. It is the cutest, friendliest dog. Apparently, they are super smart and easily trainable dogs. I would love one.

      • magnoliarose says:

        They are very adorable and affectionate. My ex bf had one and I missed the dog more than I missed him when we broke up. lol

    • yvrjanice says:

      As a Canadian here, he’s really not so everything, trust me. He’s in the middle of a tax scandal where he’s taxing the crap out of small business owners while the mega millions that his very rich, privileged daddy left him are tied up in hidden trusts somewhere. He refuses to talk about the fact he’s avoiding paying taxes on his trusts while he’s gouging his job creators. He’s disgusting. Please don’t be swayed by his charm.

      • Sabrine says:

        I can’t stand Trudeau and his “sunny ways.” It was a bad move putting in a boy to do a man’s job and that’s what we have. He’s flitting all over the world giving our money away and meanwhile we have plenty of people here at home in terrible living conditions who are suffering terribly. He refuses to do anything about the illegal asylum seekers situation and our porous borders. Where are all these people going to live once winter sets in which can be very cold in Quebec? Are they still going to be in tents? This is only one of the many issues he refuses to address. Oh, and I hope he enjoyed his $225,000 vacation with the Aga Khan that we taxpayers had to pay for.

      • nic919 says:

        It’s not a tax scandal but a bunch of doctors and others who earn more than $200k per year who are bitching that they can’t pay their relatives who don’t actually work money so that lower taxes are paid. So pardon me if I don’t get the violin out for the people who earn that much and don’t want to pay the full taxes on it.

        Should he go after the trust funds and offshore billionaires? sure, but with all the pushback the doctors are giving, there won’t be any political will to go after the larger target.

        And he’s not ignoring the asylum seekers at all. They are just pouring in from the States at a larger rate than usual because of Orange Hitler. My friend works at the DOJ in immigration and while it takes time to process things, not everyone is going to end up staying.

  2. jennie says:

    This is proof that what celebrities say and do can have an impact on others, even in the public sector. I’m not sure why this is a bad thing? Maybe it will encourage more people in the public eye to speak up!

    • QueenB says:

      Dont you think its kinda sad when a political leader needs a third rate movie actor to tell him that? If he was so insecure about it he could have asked. Maybe even a woman. Those kind of humans also exist.

      • Kitten says:

        This.

        Would still trade 45 for him but sufficed to say I would take anyone over Dumpie at this point.

      • Angela82 says:

        While this isn’t the best story its legions above the p*ssy grabber. Yes i know I am setting the bar low these days. I settle for anyone who doesn’t hate women or POC. 🙁

    • Jmeow says:

      Go read more ! He’s taxing every single business owner. Stop drinking the koolaid. The guy is an idiot

  3. Grant says:

    I don’t care. At least he’s a feminist.

  4. Shocked says:

    I am….unimpressed. But that’s okay. If it’s the truth, then that’s just the way it is, so good on him for not pretending like he spent his college days studying feminist literature or something. And why not, you know? Why not take the lead from artists and entertainers? I almost feel like this was a “confession” – that he is admitting that it took him way, way too long to actually speak out. I mean, that was only three years ago, right? He had to wait until he was confident that he “had permission” to speak out. Good on J-Go, it’ll be a nice surprise for him to wake up to.

  5. QueenB says:

    And if someone asks him about Indigenous rights he can always do a photo op to go viral again. Politics in the year 2017…

    • Scotchy says:

      Thank you QueenB he is all about selfies and lies. Homeboy is about as feminist as a tree. He actually makes me ill when I look at him. He and his party are full of garbage but it could always be worse as we all know.

      • Narak says:

        Like Stephen Harper was better? Or hamster man Mulcair? Come on! The Liberals haven’t tried to destroy teaching and nursing unions, they haven’t taken out adds advocating spying and reporting on your Muslim neighbours, and they are taking needed steps to protect the environment.

    • LadyMTL says:

      I get what you’re saying, QueenB. One of the reasons why I didn’t get all “rah rah” at Canada’s 150th this year is in part because of the way the government has treated our Indigenous peoples…totally shameful.

      That said, compared to Harper, or even – blargh – Trumpelstiltskin, I can’t complain too much about Trudeau. For me, a politician by definition is never 100% trustworthy.

      • Scotchy says:

        @Narak,
        I did not think Mulcair or Harper were better choices. None of these choices were good.Unfortunately with the parlimentary process we can’t choose the PM but we can join a party and become part of that choice. Either way this is not the forum to get into what the Libs are currently doing while this guy prances around taking photos and giving “woke”( heavy sarcasm) interviews. Regarding unions any attacks on those would happen on a provincial level which did happen in BC under the Liberal gov’t that’s changed now so we shall see. Either way I am allowed to feel strong dislike for this man just like you are allowed to feel differently without any judgement or admonishment from me 🙂

    • Jessa says:

      Please! Indigenous people have more rights than everyone else up here. We get subsidies, government payouts, free education we rarely use. Endless help is available yet we drink and gamble our money away and belittle anyone who wants to get out of the system and integrate. You can only do so much after which people need to help themselves.
      Source: Am indigenous and one of the few that got out.

  6. littlemissnaughty says:

    Oh my. I mean, good for him for calling himself a feminist but 2014? Jiggle? Re-think that story, man. There’s no explanation needed as to why you’re a feminist. There really isn’t.

  7. Cleo says:

    I wonder if Justin thinks that girls can be both pretty AND funny since JGL doesn’t…

    (Or I could let go of something Joseph said 5 years ago and just admit that my hatred for him is mostly irrational, lol)

  8. lunchcoma says:

    It comes across as a bit fluffy, but I do get the larger point about the value of men identifying themselves as feminists. That being said, I think they should look to women in public life and remember that while awareness matters, there actually has to be substance behind it. It does no good for feminism to see pop stars constantly cycle between offering uninformed comments and apologizing for them, nor does it contribute anything when the Kellyanne Conways of the world brand themselves feminists and then go back to their work of eroding women’s rights.

  9. Fiorucci says:

    Don’t be so suprised, he is nothing like Obama. He would not have this position without his name and his looks. He’s probably a good enough PM for Canada right now, he’s just nothing like Obama at all in terms of intellect, manners, eloquence. Easy to see this on YouTube

    • UmYeah says:

      One of things that makes me hopeful about him is that he doesnt owe a ton of political favours bc of his name. Most politicians who get to a position of running for the head of a country had to make a lot of promises to big business and rich people. Hopefully bc he didnt have to make those promises he will actually work for the people.

      • Fiorucci says:

        That’s a nice and optimistic way to look at it. (Not being sarcastic:)). After the Vancouver Chinese millionaires dinner, which he won’t take questions about, I assumed due to his heritage he was connected with and in bed with the 1 % and looking out for his own pockets either now or after his terms as PM are done. I’m still skeptical, the child tax benefit is nice for parents but is he doing it for the right reasons or just sees us as easy voters to buy? No good alternative in my opinion so meh

      • UmYeah says:

        Im trying so hard to stay optimistic 🙂 i feel like most good people drop out of politics early on so we get with left with terrible options, it ends up being a choice of lesser of the evils sadly.

    • Anners says:

      Truth. We’ve never had a leader like Obama (at least not in my lifetime). And the candidate hopefuls really aren’t that inspiring. Le sigh. What I would give for an intelligent, well spoken, incorruptible leader.

      • Fiorucci says:

        I wasnt born when Trudeau 1 was working but he may have been the closest we had ? At least he seemed to believe and be passionate about the things he said and did from what I understand (and not in a delusional way like trump.) but he wasn’t as cute as Obama
        We simply have a smaller pool.

      • nic919 says:

        Pierre Trudeau was an intellectual as much as Obama is. His son is more personable, but PET was a law professor just like Obama and helped set up the Charter, which is one of the more important legal documents in Canada and jurisprudence in Canada was forever changed as a result of it.

        PET was also considered cute back in the 60s and Trudeaumania started with him, because the other politicians at the time were fuddy duds.

  10. Juls says:

    I have massive love for JGL. I wish HE was president. Sigh.

  11. Joanie says:

    Yeah ok Mr Socialist! I can’t stand him. I think he’s worse than Harper.

    • UmYeah says:

      You are crazy if you think he worse than Harper, i mean Harpers environment policies were so harmful

    • Narak says:

      If you think he’s worse than Harper you must be a Canadian Deplorable. Seriously. I’m from Alberta, and live in Harpers former riding and I know Trudeau is not popular here but the province is changing and Premier Rachel Notley is diversifying our economy, and Trudeau is reinstating environmental protection, advocating women’s rights, equal representation and pay. What’s your problem???

      • Juliette says:

        Exactly. He’s not perfect by a long shot but he has done some good things for the country so far. Check out “trudeaumetre”, it tracks how many of the promises he made have been kept.

        He has increased leave time for people need compassionate care to take care of sick family members, upped taxes on people making over $200K, This is just a start.

        https://www.mtlblog.com/news/justin-trudeau-canada-prime-minster

      • Angela82 says:

        *Clapping* ITA.

      • Scotchy says:

        The Libs aren’t actually re-instating environmental protections. If they were they would not have passed the pipelines under Harpers provisions in my province( BC) and I have yet to see anything that the Lib gov’t has done in terms of futhering womens rights and equal pay aside from creating a federal department and saying words. Provincially things are changing and that’s what I focus on in the hopes that eventually we will get a federal gov’t that is truly diverse and about working for Canadians.

        Whatever anyone can say they are a feminist, it doesn’t mean anything. He said a lot of words on the campaign trail and has gone back most of em.. so shrug

      • Joanie says:

        I voted for Trudeau. He is putting this country into deep financial dept. It’s irresponsible. I work in finance. His stance on taxing the so called rich is ridiculous. He’s an entitled rich kid who knows nothing of finance and he’s very cavalier with our tax dollars. He may be an eloquent speaker but he’s a very weak prime minister.

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        Just curious, who are the “so-called” rich? Surely people who make above a certain income can give more of their fair share and reduce income inequality. Fairness is a bedrock of Canadian governance. As well, Trudeau’s finance minister is deeply experienced. I applaud their attempts to get a handle on the runaway Canadian housing market. They may not fully succeed, but at least they acknowledged that the housing bubble – encouraged by the policies of Harper and the late Jim Flaherty – is a large threat to the Canadian economy.

        What is the government spending on that you don’t like?

      • Narak says:

        Can I just say that we do not have Tar Sands, We have OIL sands and there is a big difference. I don’t support running pipelines through pristine forests, destroying the environment and pipeline access roads that allow people to drive into previously inaccessible areas, light fires, illegally hunt and camp, leave their garbage behind including piles of guts from animals they’ve killed. But until we stop being dependant on oil, the safest way to transport it to market which is usually offshore, is pipeline. As for tankers hauling crude though the Discovery Islands and around Haida Gwaii that is another catastrophe waiting to happen.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      Justin Trudeau: Socialist? Really? Liberal Party of Canada: Socialist? Really?

      For those playing along in outside Canada, the Liberal party =/= “liberal” as in US “progressive.” It’s a middle of the road corporate/patronage party; it’s where much of Canada gets centered politically. The NDP = National Democratic Party = historically lefty/social democrats (think parts of Europe – strong unions; health insurance; family-friendly), but not uniformly Socialist, and certainly not Communist.

      Trudeau is probably what Canada needs on the world stage right now, but watch for some domestic corruption scandal at some point or other to weigh on the party – and there will be a trail of broken promises on the environment and Indigenous rights.

      Would like an NDP minority to nip at their heels. To be continued!

      • Joanie says:

        I was being somewhat facetious re the socialist comment.

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        People outside Canada would have a hard time understanding that nuance, but even the NDP isn’t Socialist.

        To Democratic and ‘progressive’ voters in the United States, Trudeau is like a matinee idol at this point. I’m okay with him in government but want a strong, back-to-basics NDP minority to challenge the Liberals. I want Canada to deal with its environmental issues forthrightly and stop playing both sides of the fence. The Tar Sands are a national disgrace, but what else are we but a resource-dependent country.

      • Joanie says:

        Who ARE These People, I’d like to see a minority gov’t too. Who are the rich? They aren’t the small business people, farmers etc. Do some research. Read up on Generation Screwed. There’s plenty of opinions and information out there. Trudeau wants to tax the rich? Maybe he should be looking at his circle of friends. Sorry I dont have the time to get any more specific than that today.
        One more thing, David Frum told Wendy Mesley last week Trudeau is leading us on a very dangerous path when it comes to the refugees. He said Trudeau basically wrote a cheque he never intended to cash. I agree with him. That’s all I got for now. Have a good day!

      • Kitten says:

        I don’t know, WATP…the American progressives (read: Sanders-supporters) I know HATE Trudeau because of his support of the KNTM oil pipeline expansions that will greatly impact Native Americans. The people I know who are obsessed with Trudeau are mostly female, Democrat/neo-lib types.

        I like him ok…he reminds me of Macron a bit in both style and policy. But where Macron can be a bit aloof, Trudeau comes across as warm and engaging.

    • Carol says:

      he’s not even close to a socialist or progressive – he’s middle of the road, not even left leaning.

  12. UmYeah says:

    Whatever i think about him i am not critizing a male leader for calling himself a feminist, hopefully more will follow suit

  13. Spring says:

    A few men I know are entirely supportive of feminism, but it never occurred to any of them that they could call themselves feminists. They assumed that only women could call themselves that & any man who did do might be overstepping or co-opting a term that only women had the right to use.

    Whatever helps a man realize that anyone who supports women’s rights & denounces patriarchy is, in fact, a feminist is great by me. Any person who publicly identifies as feminist is even better. We learn from each other.

  14. Monica says:

    All I hear about this guy is his socks or weed. He’s like a meme. My Canadian uncle is a conservative so he hates him so I’m wondering if Canadians even like him.

    • frankly says:

      One person = everybody in the country? My aunt is a conservative who likes Trump, but I don’t think that means everyone in America likes him.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      We really can’t generalize. Enough people liked him to give the Liberals a majority government, but that’s in part because they wanted to make damn sure to get rid of Steven Harper, the (neo-) Conservative. The Liberal party is hated by both those on the left and on the right because it’s resolutely middle and non-ideological (in part to preserve its position in power). Please everybody, please no one.

      As for socks, yeah, that’s how he dresses. The Trudeaus have always had their flashy side.

      As for weed, yes, the supreme court of Canada ruled on the decriminalization of marijuana, so the government is figuring out how to regulate its sale.

      Canada has 3 main and a few fringe political parties + the Bloc Quebecois; Quebec gets a party all its own. How can we possibly generalize?

      Does your uncle live in Alberta by any chance?

    • Jenna says:

      He has a majority government. Most of us are quite pleased with him. Harper’s campaign was based around spreading propaganda that Trudeau is planning to trash our financial infrastructure (not true) that he prances around taking selfies (this does happen – not the prancing – quite a few proud Canadians want their photo taken with him) and that he is in over his head (he is doing a much better job than Trump). His good looks are detrimental to some of the older more conservative Canadians, but that is due to Harper’s widespread smear campaign. I couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing how young Trudeau was, how he was putting our country into debt and that he supported pot *gasp*.

      He is woke. And ya, a lot of men don’t realize (or didn’t realize) they could and should step forward as feminists.

      Also, I think he is more inclined to address indiginous restitution than any previous Canadian prime minister.

    • Narak says:

      He won a majority Gov’t. More like him than don’t.

  15. detritus says:

    Of course he needed another man to tell him it was ok.

  16. adastraperaspera says:

    I do think it’s great, and here’s why. It vindicates Celebitchy’s editorial decision to include posts that are about political issues. Like it or not, in our lives we have politics. And in our politics, we have celebrity.

  17. hogtowngooner says:

    I don’t believe he wasn’t a feminist until JGL, but I think he was inspired by the warm reception JGL received for claiming he’s a feminist and jumped on the train.

  18. Carol says:

    yah it’s great that he’s a feminist and I hope it inspires other men but he’s still just another neo liberal capitalist.