The United States may look at gender equality as being a fixed issue, but if you live here, you know it's not. It's not just a men/women either, the same goes for same-sex rights, and a host of other things that simply shouldn't be an issue in the current times. I think we're slowly moving in the right direction however.
As far as feminism goes, I understand why it exists and I think it should, however as others have mentioned there are some out there that just ruin it. I'm friends with somebody on facebook (they teach women's studies) and I've just become numb to how they go about themselves. For them it really seems women are better then men, and men are just awful. That not only isn't true, but as others again have mentioned, damaging to everybody.
I can understand and certainly appreciate equality for everybody, but sometimes you just need to say "get off your high horse". Again this is just my opinion, and individual mileage will vary.