For example I can belive that the sexes are not equal, but that does not make me a sexist...
Oh? What does it mean, then?
Dictionary definitions are always tricky, but they are good places to start. Let's take a look at Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry: sex·ismPronunciation: \ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm\ Function: noun Etymology: 1sex + -ism (as in racism) Date: 1968 1: prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially : discrimination against women2: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex
Unless you can do some pretty fancy shucking and jiving you've just stepped on your member and shot yourself in the foot. Your response will probably be along the lines of:
"I didn't mean not equal. I meant not absolutely identical. There are these inborn differences which mean that men and women are different. Not that we should treat anyone unfairly, but really, you have to acknowledge reality and treat the dear little things according to the way they are. They're just not as rational or strong as men. They get these funny moods every few weeks. It's just wrong when one of them is in charge. Oh, I'll grant that there are a few exceptions..."
Been there. Done that. Bought the unisex one size fits nobody t-shirt.