In order for me to explain my reason(s) behind this, I’ll need to give you some information on the two democratic candidates. I know that this is long, and a lot to read but I’m asking you take the time to. So, let’s jump right in. 

Bernie Sanders History with abortion (x)

• In 1993, he co-sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act. (a bill that declares it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health.)
• In April 2012, Bernie wrote “We are not returning to the days of back-room abortions, when countless women died or were maimed. The decision about abortion must remain a decision for the woman, her family and physician to make, not the government.”
• Bernie voted numerous times to allow women to travel interstate for abortions, supported permitting federal funding of organizations that conduct abortions, and voted to increase access and funding for family planning for women.
• Bernie has repeatedly received ratings of 100% from NARAL Pro-Choice America

Hillary Clinton’s History with abortion 

•  In 2005 she was quoted saying “Abortion should be safe, legal and rare - and by rare I mean rare. and it’s been a struggle because both the pro life and pro choice communities haven’t been able to find much common ground.” (x)
• During a speech in 2005, Clinton was quoted again “Abortion is “a sad, even tragic choice to many, many women,”. Then she went further: “There is no reason why government cannot do more to educate and inform and provide assistance so that the choice guaranteed under our constitution either does not ever have to be exercised or only in very rare circumstances.” (x)
• “ When it comes to women’s health, there are two kinds of experts: women and their doctors. True 40+ years ago, true today. “ Hillary tweeted in 2015 (x)
  
• Received ratings of 100% from NARAL Pro-Choice America
  

(I’d just like to add that it took me 10 minutes to find very straight to the point answers for Bernie Sanders, where to find out both old and current views on Clinton, it took about half an hour.)

Bernie Sanders on Gay Rights (x)

• He has long been a supporter of same-sex marriage, voting against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed by Congress in 1996. In 2015, he said of that vote: “Back in 1996, that was a tough vote. Not too many people voted against it, but I did.” (In fact, he’s the only presidential candidate in the 2016 race who can say that.) 
  
•  In 1972 and 1976, when Bernie first ran for office in Vermont, he was an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ community; as a plank of his platform, he proposed the abolishment of all discriminatory laws pertaining to sexuality.In 1983, after he was elected to be mayor of Burlington, Vt., Bernie backed the city’s first-ever pride march. 
  
• 1995 video of Bernie defending people of the LGBT community in the military. 
• Bernie believes that the LGBTQ community should have equal rights in all respects, including the right to be free of discrimination at school, in the workplace, and in the military. 
  
• Bernie signed the Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 and co-sponsored the Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2013. 
  

  Hillary Clinton on gay marriage

• “I believe that marriage is not just a bond but a sacred bond between a man and a women.” Clinton said during a speech in 2004. (x)
  
• In August 2007 In a Democratic primary debate sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and LOGO Network (a gay-oriented TV station) Clinton was asked “What is at the heart of your opposition to same-sex marriage?” Clinton replied: “Well, I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions. You know, it’s a personal position. How we get to full equality is the debate we’re having, and I am absolutely in favor of civil unions with full equality of benefits, rights, and privileges.” (x)
  
• Clinton came out in support of same-sex marriage in 2013 after more than a decade of opposing it (x)
  

Bernie Sanders on Civil Rights / Racism

• As a student at the University of Chicago, Sanders was active in both the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In 1962, he was arrested for protesting segregation in public schools in Chicago; the police came to call him an outside agitator, as he went around putting up flyers around the city detailing police brutality. (x)
• Sanders was an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and participated in the historic March on Washington in 1963 as a 22-year-old student at the University of Chicago (x)
• 97% rating from the NAACP (x)
• When asked by CNN Democratic primary debate in 2015, “Do black lives matter or do all lives matter?” Bernie Sanders response was this “ Black lives matter. The African American community knows that on any given day some innocent person like Sandra Bland can get into a car, and three days later she’s dead in jail. We need to combat institutional racism from top to bottom, and we need major reforms in a broken criminal justice system.”
• A Muslim student asks Bernie Sanders on Islamaphobia (video)
• Endorsed by Black Lives Matter activist (x)
  

Hillary Clinton on Civil Rights / Racism

• “Racism is America’s original sin,” Clinton said in a personal tweet after the meeting. “To those I met with today, thank you for sharing your ideas.” (x)
  
• In January of 2016 Hillary said, “it has been heartbreaking and incredibly outraging to see the constant stories of young men like Walter Scott, as you said, who have been killed by police officers. There needs to be a concerted effort to address the systemic racism in our criminal justice system.” (x)
  

(I am sad to say there wasn’t much else to report on that topic for the Secretary of State - some quotes and ideas, but not much as far as what she has done.)

So now that you have looked at all that information (and trust me, I know there is a lot of it) I will explain personally why as a feminist, I will be voting for Senator Bernie Sanders. 

Bernie Sanders has had the same values and beliefs since the 60′s. He has ALWAYS been an advocate for womens rights, LGBT+ rights, People of colors rights. Hillary may have switched her views to a more open minded stance, but she didn’t start out that way. And to me, that is important. Can people change and grow? OF COURSE! but consistency is an important thing when we are talking about the next president of our country. 

Even though Bernie Sanders isn’t a woman, I believe he is the candidate that will help women of all backgrounds the greatest (gay women, trans women, women of color, disabled women, etc.) He has always stood by women in their right to choose abortion. He has always stood by women of color. He has always stood by women of the LGBT+ community. 

Now, before you call me a woman hater I’d like to say the following - I DON’T HATE HILLARY CLINTON! I respect her! Being a woman in congress and dealing with the sexism she faces is horrible, and I admire that she hasn’t let that stop her. However, I still don’t believe she is the best candidate to represent feminism, I still don’t believe she is the best candidate to represent the people of this country, or my generation. 

We will have the chance to elect a woman into office again (Maybe even Hillary!) But if you want the truth, we will NOT have another chance to elect someone like Bernie Sanders again. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Bernie Sanders is for the people. 

Now, as a voter in this country you have some things to think about, I am going to leave some links below to hopefully help you make up your mind. 

• I like bernie but…. 
  
• If you like Hillary, you’ll love Bernie
• How and when to vote for Bernie