The Rights Of Man

ANNOUNCING HEQUAL - AN EXCITING NEW EQUALITY CAMPAIGN

Hi everyone, apologies for the lack of posts recently from Skimmington and myself, I'm sure he'd appreciate some contributions from readers to help keep the site going if anyone can help out.

You'll be pleased to know that I've been keeping myself busy and can now proudly now announce a new equality campaign called "HEqual"

Launched on International Men's Day, HEqual aims to really make a difference in standing against sexism and genuine discrimination.

By “genuine” discrimination we mean anything that is indisputably unfair and causes real harm. While certain feminist groups supposedly campaigning for equality are concerned with men’s seating positions on public transport, or forcing them to sit down when urinating, we’ll be taking on the other less important issues that appear to have slipped their minds, such as say gaining recognition for hundreds of thousands of male victims of domestic violence.

Rather than covering news, discussion and debate, HEqual is going to be totally focused on activism, exposing discrimination and ultimately on defeating it. Everything written on the site will be there for a purpose, and I can promise some really interesting projects on the horizon so you're going to want to stay tuned.

You can find out more about at Hequal.wordpress.com

Be sure to read about our first victory in forcing Cancer Research UK to finally recognise Male Cancer.

Twitter users can follow us on @HEqual_UK and please and if you haven't followed The Rights of Man by now then you should add @RightsofManUK too.

 

by John Kimble

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY UK WEBSITE LAUNCHED

It is quite prescient that this being the 1,000th ever post on this site is to let readers know that we were emailed last night to state that a new International Men's Day website has been launched.

As well as highlighting the key theme: Keeping Men and Boys Safe, it is also looking for organisations to annouce their events and also become supporters.

Just as an aside as well, remember to come to the National Men and Boys Conference in Spetember. Anyone seriously interested in the male equality movement (men's human rights movement etc) has to come along - if we do not support events like this, we cannot complain at being rolled over and ignored.

Posted by Skimmington

 

BREAKTHROUGH WEEK IN THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY FOR MEN AND BOYS

When we look back in some year’s time when it is fully recognised that equality applies to men too, I think all of us involved in the quest for equality for men will look at this week as being
pivotal.

There are a number for reasons for this – men were talked about, it opened the door, and men are walking through it by taking matters in their own hands.

Labour Party

Firstly, there has been the fact that a mainstream party (Labour) are starting to talk about a men’s narrative, even though it is Labour (the party of Harriett Harman, Vera Baird, Yvette Cooper, Margaret Moran, Angela/Maria Eagle, Caroline Flint and others who actively hate men) who have brought in anti-male legislation (encouragement to Cafcass to be biased against fathers) and practices (Minister for Women but no Minister for Men – 16 years and counting...).

The Conservatives dabble but then skulk away (Dominic Raab and David Willetts) and the Lib Dems and in particular Cable wants to stop meritocracy in the boardroom.

So this week, the fact that both Jon Cruddas MP (Labour: Barking and Dagenham) spoke at the IPPR think tank’s meeting in Manchester about Childhood and Family Issues. A key part of Labour’s policy work is to “Valuing a father's family role as highly as his working role; helping men play a larger part in looking after the home and the upbringing of their children”

“The Conservatives have dominated debate about the family with their stereotype of a  feckless underclass of absent fathers. They've concentrated on demonising a small minority and ignored the majority. Many fathers have two basic priorities; their family, and work to improve the lives of their children. And many feel that the Conservatives have failed them on both counts. No support
for fathers, and no jobs.”

Don’t anyone ever forget what Cameron said about Fathers on Father’s Day.

Then on Thursday, Dianne Abbott MP, a Labour MP who certainly has not been a friend
of men, talks about men and the cause of masculinity. Albeit her speech was terribly flawed and stereotypical (a male identity Fight Club masculinity crisis fuelled by Viagra and Jack
Daniels which was statistically demolished by Ally Fogg)

Some quotes were:

“I believe we need to say loudly and clearly, that there is a powerful role for fathers. The truth is that just as loving fathers are a benefit to children, so loving families are a benefit to men. And that the ‘left’ must reclaim the debate about families.

 “Our men have little movement politics to speak of. Many British men have no authentic
voice.”  

While it was welcome that she spoke about these issues it was through the wrong lens.
In that, it was based on that men are the problem and that the problems they face have not been down to (radical) feminism or the fact the government policy (so often an expression of anti-male feminism) has purposely ignored problems that affect men.

It is no good for Abbott and others to complain about falling educational attainment when this and previous governments have chosen to ignore it – the same on suicide, depression, unemployment, men’s health etc. She identifies the problem but is unwilling to look at what causes them or why there have been deliberate attempts (either overt or covert – discrimination by omission) not to do anything about them. All of the problems she highlighted that affected men, were framed as if they were caused by men – a feminist outlook rather than a neutral outlook. It was still based on the age-old premise that men are the problem.

But at least men are being talked about...

Media Coverage - Guardian, BBC 1, BBC 2

Opening the Door

As ever, it takes someone to open the door to allow an initial chink of light, and then there are people ready to step in.

Leading writers in the men’s equality movement, Glen Poole and Ally Fogg, took that opportunity.
Gen had two articles published (one in the Guardian and another in the News Statesman) and Ally was featured on the free thought website, both talking about the issues raised this week and also Glen talking about the barriers (including the problem there is for feminism) men face. 

In addition to the open challenges made by Glen and Ally, a range of other commentators jumped in to support Glen and Ally’s premise or to argue against Abbot’s stereotypes.

Other commentators include Max Wind-Cowie, Ian Jack, Tony Parsons, Jake Wallis Simons (Abbot gave a “has given a horrendously matronising and ham-fisted speech entitled "Britain's crisis
of masculinity.”), Amol Rajan, The Huffington Post, Heartfield, Belinda Brown, After Nyne and Tony
Parsons again.  

Of course no one was naive enough to think it would be all one way, and the more people start to talk about male inequality, the more likely anti-male feminists (male and female) will fight back – they have careers in male-bashing to hang onto, remmeber. Laurie Penney (who said Glen Poole’s article was based on the tackling the evils of feminism – probably the most laughable and desperate comment ever published in the Guardian), Suzanne Moore and Matt Hill who believes feminism is the answer.

Walking through it

Glen Poole sent an email around this week outlining a number of events where the growing men and boys sector are “doing it for themselves”.

There is no point complaining about the need for equality for men or ending discrimination against them or that people ignore the problems men and boys face nelss people are doing something positive and practical about it. The email is set out at the end.

In addition, Mike Buchanan held his first meeting for his Justice for Men and Boys (and the women who love them) political party in Bedford.

Again, rather than being passive, it is about being active and controlling the agenda and changing society’s views and providing solutions.

Labour have raised the issued, starting the debate – others have taken it forward and given it a wider airing – but more importantly others are providing solutions. A pivotal week - a week to remember

Posted by Skimmington

 

Notice for people helping men and boys....

This is a short email update to make sure you know about three events for people like you who are committed to improving the lives of men and boys in the UK:

This year’s Third National Conference for Men and Boys is taking place in September over five days covering issues like health, mental health, fatherhood, education, male mentoring, criminal justice, social care, religion, personal development, building the men and boys sector  and much, much
more…..

To find out about the UK’s Third National Conference for Men and Boys in September and book
your early bird tickets click here now

This year’s Men’s Health Week takes place during June and Helping Men will be marking the week by hosting its Helping Men Get Help workshop in Brighton on Wednesday 12th June. This one-day course is designed for people like you who may want to develop their ability to help more men and boys to
access or engage with the services and projects you run

To find out how you can come and take part in the Helping Men Get Help workshop in June and buy a half-price ticket today click here now

Finally a reminder that International Men’s Day takes place on Tuesday 19^th November and is a great platform who you to promote the work you do with men and boys, or to help you connect more men
and boys to your work

The theme of this year’s International Men’s Day is Keeping Men and Boys Safe and you can use the
day to promote any theme you want as long as it’s helping to improve the lives of men and boys in the UK.To find out more about International Men’s Day in November click here now

INNOCEAN EUROPE AND HYUNDAI'S SICK ADVERT AND THE CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION

One sure sign of the everyday institutional sexism that men face in today's society can be seen by the recently banned  advert created by Hyundai  and the laughable advertising agency Innocean Europe who said  they are "a company that espouses strong family values" (Innocean Europe is owned by the chairman and his daughter...)

Hyundai claim they knew nothing about it which is a lie. No company allows an advertising agency to produce and broadcast an advert (online or not) and no one at the organisation sign it off.

The sickest thing about the ad is not the ad per se, it is the fact that the creatives and executives at both Innocean Europe and Hyundai actually came up with the idea, then created it, then broadcast it. Did no one stop and say something. 

How could anyone come up with such a sick idea and think it was funny (and of course would they ever reverse the genders). Well someone did and it shows that people thought it was OK to do so. And these are not people without a brain (supposedly), they are running one of the world's biggest ad agencies and car companies.

With three out of every four suicides being a male and with both the Men's Health Week and International Men's Day being  about mental health and health respectively (and of course CALM), both Hyundai should sponsor these and Innocean Europe should create an advert for International Men's Day/Men's Health Week or CALM as a penance.

Posted by Skimmington

 

PS Read Holly Brockwell's open letter

 

MOMENTUM GATHERED FOR INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

As International Men's Day draws to a close it, watching the updates on the International Men's Day UK site today has been great viewing. There certainly is now a growing momentum on this not only with so many organisations now taking part but also there has been some media coverage.  Some also used the day as leverage for a story about a barrier for men. It bodes well for next year if the team behind it in the UK can keep pushing forward.

Key stand out is Ally Fogg's article on The Guardian's website

Posted by Skimmington

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY GAINS MOMENTUM IN THE UK

Today, is a great day. It is of course International Men's Day - celebrating men and boys and campaigning to help men live longer, healthier and happier lives - and tackling discrimination is a key part of this.

Every November,  there are  a number of events that not only celebrate the contribution that men and boys make to society but also raise areas where they face disadvantage. This includes Movember,
the national men and boys conference and also International Men’s Day on Monday. Momentum for these events continues to grow with the latter being celebrated and highlighted by groups of women and men across the UK.

As the article by Glen Poole (UK co-ordinator) on the IMD UK website shows not only is there now a UK steering committee, there are organisations up and down the UK now using this weekend or today to support men and boys across the UK. Two years there was a few students, now 14 organisations are behind it.

The ambition has to be treble that next year and if a company can get behind it (like Gillette  and HP sauce amongst others have do so brilliantly with Movember) then it will go places.

And a key part is not just celebrating men and boys but breaking down the barriers they face. The committee have published a press release  (Download)  highlighting the top ten issues that men and boys face in the UK. The top three are not surprisingly male suicide, equality for fathers and mothers and ending violence against men and boys.

It will be interesting by the end of today whether the mainstream media has covered International Men's Day at all - or are they still ignoring this landmark, unlike International Women's Day which garners acres of coverage.

Let's all celebrate today!

Posted by Skimmington

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY LETTER - MEDIA NOT INTERESTED

I hope men and women are all enjoying International Men's Day (went out for lunch with my father) today.

Earlier this week this site reported that the Men's Network who are the UK coordinators for International Men's Day had put together a letterfor the Equalities Minister (Lynne Featherstone) which was eventually signed by 80 organisations and a press release sent.

Going through the 280 comments on a thoughtful article  in the Guardian's Comment is Free section by Ally Fogg (plus Glen Poole's contributions throughout), MarkBrooks70 reveals that no one has been interested in the letter or the press release:

"Not one journalist has called and it has been sent to a number (including the Guardian) today. Hopefully there will be something in the papers tomorrow."

So what media coverage has there been given to the letter. Well, none. The above does not count as it is an article and didn't over the letter (Mr Fogg will not have known about it) and while Cllr Peter Davies in Wales makes a great point and Preston FM has a whole day, the media's silence is deafening.

For International Women's Day in March there were endless articles and the Guardian even banned men from its Comment is Free section but this is not reciprocated by the media.

The fact that 80 charities supporting male issues and run by women and men were actually prepared to put their names to such a balanced and well written letter is a news story - yet why are the media not interested. Such is their hypocrisy and double standards, if "Women's charities" had written the letter about women's issues it would have been on the front page and all over the BBC's news bulletins. The Fawcett Society get a nice feature about their march in The Guardian

As can be seen by the number of events and days in the UK celebrating today (including a number of colleges again), there is starting to be a lot of momentum about today. It is a great pity that the media are not interested but shows the barriers that need to be broken down.

Once again, enjoy today.

Posted by Skimmington