I've lived in the US my entire life, and have never heard of International Men's Day.

At present there is precious little about U.S. attempts on the Global IMD website http://www.internationalmensday.com/.../united_states . I believe the hosts of that website are looking for contributions to fill out the U.S. page, eg. even suggestions of possible events that people plan for the 2009 celebration, regardless of whether such plans eventuate or not.

Maybe the Malachai people will do something this year, seeings they only gave in principle support for 2008 celebrants? Dunno.

Passerby

International Men's day in Canada

Guy in Ottowa wants to organize something. If you live there and want to celebrate IMD you can get in touch via his blog:

"Beleive me now dear reader, this 19 Nov I am taking International Man's day and I am going to be a prick about it at work and insist on festivities starting with the planning committee in August. Like them I will vary from the "offical" version of male domestic slavery and make it a celebration of men's great accomplishments such as the moon landing, motorized transportation of all kinds, beer, power tools and war. Yes war. Without it no country would exist and it was up to us men to take care of it from planning to compleation. Yes, celebrate it in the same manner as the femists do. Hooray fo us and look at us because we are so great! We will play with power tools and radio controlled cars while getting drunk, eat pizza and steak then all go home to screw our women, that is if I have one by them and she has not found my posts concerning this topic. Damn women."

http://bicyclingbill.blogspot.com/

A cut-down version of the flood letter:

International Men's Day: An Open Letter of Rejection

By Dr. Michael Flood (a parody of Flood's letter)


This is an open letter concerning my desire to spearhead an anti International Men’s Day campaign because it has come to my attention that an angry men’s group is proposing to commemorate this day simply to hurt and violate women. This angry men's group is proposing an IMD as a way to draw attention to men's poor state of health, but as someone who has supported men’s issues since the late 1980s I have discovered that men who draw attention to their health are usually disenfranchised narcissistic fathers who have lost custody of their children and are suffering from self-created and deserved ill health. Therefore I do not believe that an International Men’s Day is an appropriate way for them to dig themselves out of this hole. Believe me I would love to help them. I argue impartially below that no sane person should support this woman-hating event. But before spelling out my concerns, I give some background on the day itself.

Background:
International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by a group of dubious, possibly violent men in Trinidad and Tobago (my research confirms that there are a lot of murdering, wife-battering men in the Caribbean). It continues to be observed there on November 19th each year, no doub't enforced by the incumbent patriarchy. International Men’s Day does not have any worthwhile international presence, and I'd go so far as to say its a dud. A Google search for this event finds very few examples of other countries or organisations acknowledging this day and its internet presence is primarily in the voice of angry male commentators stating, in response to International Women’s Day, “Give me an International Men’s Day, or I'll bash the crap out of every woman and every homosexual I know.” Hardly the kind of approach that invites goodwill from feminists like myself! In Australia this so-called Men’s Health and Wellbeing Association has already initiated the first celebration of IMD in Australia in 2003, without my permission. This slipped past my radar and I regret not being more vigilant as I could have mischaracterized, ridiculed and stopped this effort before it began. Anyways, it has happened, and Phil Gouldson of the MHWA writes, “We are keen to build on this locally and nationally. The Association is contacting men’s organisations around Australia to encourage them to undertake their own local celebrations.” I do not know to what extent other pathological organisations have taken up this event, but Its obviously based on some kind of perverted womb-envy which attempts at emulating the very successful International Women's Day. I understand such womb-envy, believe me, but if I have anything to do with the event it will be to cancel the event, or otherwise to turn the event into an 'International-Men's-Day-For-Celebrating-Women'. If the celebration is to survive this is obviously the way we should try and re-construct it.

Concerns about International Men’s Day:
We feminists think there are a number of important problems with International Men’s Day. In summary; IMD offers a false parallel to International Women’s Day, because men will never have a womb and so have no issues on which to base an international campaign. What, (LoL) are they going to argue that they have unique health issues deserving attention such as prostrate cancer or an epidemic of suicide? Please, you males are so violent that if you do suffer suicide or cancer it is small comuppence for the violence that you wreak every day.

IMD also stands a chance of alienating services and organisations such as "Feminists for the Reconstruction of Men" or that other helpful organization, "Reeducation of men who batter babies and pet animals". Perhaps the most important problem lies in the very notion of an “International Men’s Day”. It offers a false and dare I say 'impotent' challenge to International Women’s Day.

So in response to some men’s question, “Can't we have an International Men’s Day?” To that question I have a simply cunning one-liner reply I'd like to spread far and wide; that "every other day is International Men’s Day." (Sorry, ROFLMAO!) Don't you just love that one! I realize we could say the same one-liner about every day being women's day, particularly when every other day is marked on the U.N calender for women alone. But lets ignore that as women have already suffered enough violence from you puppy-murdering male bastards.

The men's complaint goes as follows: “International Women’s Day.... Why isn’t there an International Men’s Day?” Or, “Women’s refuge...... Why isn’t there a men’s refuge?” And so on. This kind of simplistic “You’ve got it, we want it too” logic will not provide services for men if I have anything to do with it ( in which case they'd get sweet FA!). This “us too” approach won’t actually get men the services they need because it is motivated by a logic of equality which only feminists should have. Yes I do concede that Feminists (I like using a capital F for that word) got where they did by demanding "Me too!" but lets not dwell on that. Look, its only fair that women deserve an international celebration in the sense of "Me only" because my eminently reasonable research proves that men are just too violent to to hold an International Men's Day...... can you imagine the bloodshed that would take place with all that psychopathic testosterone just poised to rip one another apart? Point proven. An IMD would probably be just like Super-Bowl Sunday where men would arrive home in a hostile mood from IMD celebrations and procede to bash the crap out of their wives and children, a sad probability. Enough said.

In summary, “International Men’s Day” smacks of the “me-too-ism” that has dogged the men’s movement since its beginnings. And this me-too-ism alienates loving feminists who might otherwise support measures aimed at improving men’s wellbeing. IMD is likely to alienate women’s services, women’s organisations, and other women and men who might otherwise be supportive of the causes. Nevermind that it is mostly women who are setting up International Men's Days around the world, such as the young University of Kent women who conceived and coordinated an big event. Such women are betrayers of feminism and lets face it they are complicit bitches doing the bidding of violent males. How else would you explain such anti-feminist stupidity? We feminists know that this is true because our research tells us that these women are merely the hapless victims of overpowering men.

An “International Men’s Day” will be understood by many women and women’s services as at best misguided and ill-informed, and at worst as anti-feminist backlash. I realize my arguments are faulty when you stack them up against the claim made by Trinidad & Tobago's IMD inaugurators that "The IMD is not intended to compete against the women's day but instead the goal is to foster and promote better relations between men and women" (2001). But hey, whats wrong with a bit of poetic license (snicker)..... its for a good cause, surely, if I can convince everyone that men are bastards and that only women need support and recognition?!

Attempting to address issues such as men’s health through an “International Men’s Day” smacks of backlash. I am arguing that men’s organisations should only ever organise events that would be supported by feminist and women's organisations. It just seems destructive to advocate an event that is very likely to antagonise or alienate the majority of women’s services and women's organisations with this kitten-hating male sentiment.

There are a range of special days and weeks that already serve as useful organising points for work on men’s issues. These include Fathers’ Day, Men’s Health Week, and others. We can ignore the fact that these services are directed only at fathers (even though most "men" and boys are not fathers) and yes I also understand the complaint that the 'men's health week' approach portrays men as crass bufoons who bring bad health upon themselves. But men should take what they are offered. Finally, an “International Men’s Day” may be ineffective at engaging men because men are usually too obsessed with doing other things like mowing the lawn or making a living for their families; i.e. they just wont hear it.

Conclusion “International Men’s Day” is hostile and anti-feminist. Men’s organisations should not promote nor support an International Men’s Day. Nor should other organisations offer their support to such an event. Please feel most welcome to circulate or publish this letter or to popularise my idea that IMD should be stopped.

Footnote: For those who claim I wrote this critique out of a bad experience of males, IT ISN'T TRUE, DAMMIT. Ok, I admit I accidently let it slip in an online interview that the defining moment of my manhood was being bullied by boys at school. Ok you got me there. That little mention of mine was placed on one of Steve Biddulph's pages some years back. I guess I've never really wanted to think about those painful years at school, and I've just shut it all out by busying myself 24/7 obsessively studying male violence against women. Just be assured that those early experiences of being punched in the nose have nothing to do with my need to destroy International Men's Day.

Sincerely, Dr Michael Flood E-mail: RevengeAgainstBullies@tai.org.au PO Box 4026, Ainslie ACT, 2602, AUSTRALIA. Further reading For further reading on VIOLENT BASTARD MALES, see my articles collected here: http://www.xyonline.net For academic references, see my Men's Bibliography: http://mensbiblio.xyonline.net/

Quote from Passerby

A cut-down version of the flood letter:

International Men's Day: An Open Letter of Rejection

By Dr. Michael Flood (a parody of Flood's letter)

Background:
International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by a group of dubious, possibly violent men in Trinidad and Tobago (my research confirms that there are a lot of murdering, wife-battering men in the Caribbean). It continues to be observed there on November 19th each year, no doub't enforced by the incumbent patriarchy. International Men’s Day does not have any worthwhile international presence, and I'd go so far as to say its a dud. A Google search for this event finds very few examples of other countries or organisations acknowledging this day and its internet presence is primarily in the voice of angry male commentators stating, in response to International Women’s Day, “Give me an International Men’s Day, or I'll bash the crap out of every woman and every homosexual I know.” Hardly the kind of approach that invites goodwill from feminists like myself! In Australia this so-called Men’s Health and Wellbeing Association has already initiated the first celebration of IMD in Australia in 2003, without my permission. This slipped past my radar and I regret not being more vigilant as I could have mischaracterized, ridiculed and stopped this effort before it began. Anyways, it has happened, and Phil Gouldson of the MHWA writes, “We are keen to build on this locally and nationally. The Association is contacting men’s organisations around Australia to encourage them to undertake their own local celebrations.” I do not know to what extent other pathological organisations have taken up this event, but Its obviously based on some kind of perverted womb-envy which attempts at emulating the very successful International Women's Day. I understand such womb-envy, believe me, but if I have anything to do with the event it will be to cancel the event, or otherwise to turn the event into an 'International-Men's-Day-For-Celebrating-Women'. If the celebration is to survive this is obviously the way we should try and re-construct it.

What the fuck is this shit? Stop making this nonsense, it's not even funny! And don't send it around.

Conclusion “International Men’s Day” is hostile and anti-feminist. Men’s organisations should not promote nor support an International Men’s Day. Nor should other organisations offer their support to such an event. Please feel most welcome to circulate or publish this letter or to popularise my idea that IMD should be stopped.

International Men's Day is very much necessary as it is a useful day to bring MR issues to the table in the mass media.

I can't find a single reference to U.S. men having celebrated International Men's Day. Are you guys a bit pussy-whipped? (joking).

Seriously, have any of you ever celebrated November 29th??
Do any of you intend to celebrate Nov 29th with an event?

MR organizations are poorly funded. If this were better I'm sure major festivals would be held. It's important to inform more people about International Men's Day to create more sympathy.

I agree it isn't funny, I just can't stand the prick and need to vent.

PS. Accidently wrote "29th Nov" above. Of course I meant 19th as the correct date.

Yep IMD has got to be passed around. Its sickening to think that 6 teen girls stopped the Kansas IMD from continuing in the U.S., especially as it was the first really big effort.

Anyways the thing is up and running now, so we all just have to jump on board. The PR this day could give MR groups is pretty massive, as all the press would be wanting to hear the reasoning behind it.

Best way to keep up with it is to sign up for the IMD newsletter at http://www.internationalmensday.com/ and then somehow get into the show.

Quote from Passerby

Anyways the thing is up and running now, so we all just have to jump on board. The PR this day could give MR groups is pretty massive, as all the press would be wanting to hear the reasoning behind it.

Best way to keep up with it is to sign up for the IMD newsletter at http://www.internationalmensday.com/ and then somehow get into the show.

Did you post this in the Activism section?

I like the website, it looks professional. BTW that young lad on the left has a very hairy arm. XD

This is the Global International Men's Day website, so it should also feature asian and african men in that image to appeal to all men world wide, not just ethnic europeans. My two cents.

Don't know where the activism section is, but will have a look in a moment. Got terrible eyesight, literally.

Actually a very good point about the picture, your suggestion would make it look much more representative/powerful with a broad ethnic variety of men. Will suggest that to the website manager, as am in touch with him sometimes.

I notice a Michael Flood-groupie named Andrew c is trying to discredit the International Men's day article by champoining Flood's views on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:In...al_Men%27s_Day


Do we have any willing editors to keep the article respectible?

Jason