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A group of unusual men's rights activists are stripping off for a sexy calendar to support male issues.

Vanessa Lussier, from North Carolina, has founded the 'lovely ladies for men's issues' group, which she says aims to get more people to talk about societal inequalities that have come about after feminism.

The 22-year-old said: "It’s kind of unheard of that women support men’s issues. While historically men have had more authority in the society, no society is perfect.

"And now that women have basically all their rights, and you see how men are, for example, way more likely to be sentenced for a crime and much more harshly, you have to think men have issues too. So why can’t we talk about that?"

In her bid to raise awareness, she and two friends, Reading Wren and Becky Quinton, have created a sexy 2018 calendar, complete with a different issue for each month.

(Image: Barcroft Media) (Image: Barcroft Media)

The Lovely Ladies are on a mission to raise awareness of such issues as male circumcision, which they say is akin to female genital mutilation, and paternal rights.

Reading, aged 29, added: “I think the sexy calendar format is a more playful way of getting people to notice some of the issues that are going on.

“To me the most important issue really is paternal rights and what happens to men in family court.

"I’m married, I have kids, and I want my kids to grow up in the world that, if a relationship breaks down, they won’t get screwed over just because their mother's rights come first.”

(Image: Barcroft Media) (Image: Barcroft Media)

A crowdfunding campaign set up by the group managed to raise $2,552 (£1,926) to fund the calendar, which equates to an impressive 449% of the original target.

The Indiegogo page states that the calendar represents the women "who are dedicated to addressing the inequalities faced by men that are largely ignored in society today".

Vanessa, who is fully aware that her efforts are likely to stoke the ire of the modern women’s movement, says she is a “non-feminist” rather than is an “anti-feminist” because she “doesn't want to silence anybody.”

(Image: Barcroft Media) (Image: Barcroft Media)

She explained: “To me, feminism is a good idea that got taken advantage of by bad people.

“I believe the biggest disruptors to men’s rights are anybody who pushes myths and stereotypes of men, such as ‘toxic masculinity’.”

Vanessa said her affiliation with the movement began when she saw her high school friends become hostile to men having become 'entrenched' in feminism.

She also argues that men don't benefit from the same 'positive reinforcement' of their sexuality as women.

(Image: Barcroft Media)

(Image: Barcroft Media)

“Everyday you see positive reinforcement for women’s sexuality,” she added. “You can wear whatever you want and that’s perfectly fine.

“But with men it’s kind of a different story, because they are not as free to express their sexuality as women might be. We are all about telling men it’s okay to have sexual attraction.”

Vanessa said all their efforts would be worth it to just help one man, but they will continue spreading their message of positive sexuality regardless.