Thread: International Men's day: Do Americans celebrate this???????

Just in case folks don't know, Kent University held a big student function inaugurating International Men's Day in the U.K. This event is really starting to get some traction.

Those students are awesome! And to think three young women organized it, no doub't to the absolute disgust of the of the old-guard feminasties.

There a mention of the U.K. event in the Wikipedia article here:

International Men's Day

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International Men's Day is an international event celebrated on 19th of November. It was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and was supported by the United Nations[1], and received in principal support from men's groups in USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.[2] Speaking on behalf of UNESCO, Director of Women and Culture of Peace Ms. Ingeborg Breines said of IMD: “This is an excellent idea and would give some gender balance.” She added that UNESCO was looking forward to cooperating with IMD organisers.[1] The objectives of celebrating an International Men's Day include focusing on men's health,[3][4] improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.[5] It is an occasion for men to highlight discrimination against them and to celebrate their achievements and contributions.[6][7][4][8] It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social contributions of men, and in particular for their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care.[9]
International Men's Day is celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, India, United States, Singapore, and United Kingdom on November 19, and global support for the celebration is broad.[3]
Contents

[hide]

• 1 History
• 2 Themes celebrated
• 3 See also
• 4 External links
• 5 References

[edit] History

Trinidad and Tobago were the first to celebrate IMD on the 19th November, 1999. The event was coordinated by Harrack Balramsingh, Chairman of Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), and UWI Lecturer Dr Jerome Teelucksingh and has continued to be celebrated since that date. [10][11]
Australians have celebrated IMD on 19 November since 2003,[12][13] when Phil Gouldson of Men's Health and Wellbeing Association ACT (MHWA) launched the inaugural event after receiving an invitation by Trinidad and Tobago's Harrack Balramsingh to join in the event.[3][4] Australians consider this a very significant date marking the sinking of the cruiser HMAS Sydney during the Second World War, therefore commemorating the largest loss of life in battle on any one day with the death of 645 men off the coast of Geraldton in Western Australia.[14]
Indian Men's rights organisation Save Indian Family have joined in with an inaugural celebration of IMD on 19 November, 2007.[15] As a first step it accepted 19 November as (Indian) International Men's Day based on the fact that cricket rivals Australians and West Indies (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago) were already doing it. The event was again celebrated in India in 2008, and plans have been made to continue the celebration annually.[16]
In 2001 a number of organizations in The United States and Canada joined in celebrating IMD on 19th November.[17] In 2008 International Men’s Day continues to be celebrated by a number of United States organizations including the Malachi Global Foundation (MGF) in Michigan, which hosted observances of IMD on November 19.[18][dubious – discuss]
In the United Kingdom University of Kent students celebrated International Men's Day at Mungos Bistro on the university campus on November 19. This event was organized and coordinated by the Kent University student organization 'Raise and Give' (or RAG as it is better known). RAG is Kent Union's charitable arm located in the Student Activities Center which raises money for various charities each year. Activities for IMD night included live soccer coverage of England v Germany, comedy acts and live music from student band "Clacket Lane". There was a raffle, a guitar hero competition and an X-box tournament to raise money. About 300 people attended with roughly equal numbers of males and females. All proceeds raised went to ORCHID a charity for all male cancers, including prostate, penile or testicular cancer.[19]
In 2008 a November 19-21 IMD event was organized in Singapore. The Adam Association organised a forum - Definition of a Man- which identified various problems men face at home such as communication issues, and how to overcome them. Held in Malay, speakers included Dr Maliki Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for National Development, and staff members from the Registry of Marriages. The forum was open to the public for free and was held at the Darussalam mosque along Commonwealth Avenue West. Another event, also part of International Men's Day, was the Admiralty Baby Genius and Kids' Fashion contest, held on Sunday at Woodlands. Jointly organised by Adam Association and Ace the Place Community Club Management Committee, activities included a diaper-changing contest for fathers.[20]
As of 2008 the number of countries holding celebrations of International Men's Day in November includes Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, India, United States, Singapore, and United Kingdom.

[edit] Themes celebrated

International Men’s Day is a time for men to highlight discrimination against them in areas of health, family law, education, media or other areas and to project their positive contributions and achievements. During past years the method of commemorating International Men's Day included public seminars, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, and peaceful displays and marches.[3] The manner of observing this annual day is optional, and any appropriate forums can be used. Early pioneers of IMD reminded that the day is not intended to compete against International Woman's Day, but is for the purpose of highlighting men's experiences.[21] Each year a different theme is highlighted, such as peace in 2002, or men’s health in 2003.[3] In consultation with organizers from other nations, Australian IMD coordinator Phil Gouldson has outlined the following broad objectives of International Men’s Day:

• Celebrate manhood and the wonderful positive and valuable contributions our men, young men, and boys make to our communities and to our societies
• Promote and Support gender equality, encouraging men to address responsibly and positively the challenges facing them in society
• Demonstrate strength of character and courage in meeting the challenges that men face in society and in contributing to building stronger and better communities, where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.[9]

In Canberra 2004 Mr. Gouldson asked men in Australia to meet the challenge and wear a red rose for IMD and for women and families to buy the men in their life flowers. He said a red rose is worn by men on IMD as a symbol of strength of character and courage, and as it is unusual to see men being given flowers so it is a good way to highlight the occasion.[22]
One of the promoted themes for the celebration of IMD in Australia is “honour and sacrifice”, particularly as this date coincides with a major loss of male lives in the HMAS Sydney naval tragedy.[14] According to Australian Dads4Kids Organization the ability to sacrifice one's needs on behalf of others is fundamental to manhood and therefore to International Men's Day: "men make sacrifices everyday in their place of work, in their role as husbands and fathers, for their families, for their friends, for their communities and for their nation."[14]
According to Mens Activism News Network having International Men's Day in November also interfaces with 'Movember' - a worldwide moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health, one of the key themes promoted on IMD.[23]



[edit] See also

Holidays portal

• International Women's Day
• Fathers' Day
• Mothers' Day
• St. Valentine's Day
• Movember
• Men's Health and Wellbeing Association

[edit] External links

• International Men's Day global website
• Mensday.in
• International Men's Day in India
• Why Men and International Men's Day are So Important: D. A. Sears

[edit] References

1. ^ a b 'UNESCO comes out in Support of International Men's Day', Article Trinidad Guardian Nov 20, 2001
2. ^ November 19th - International Men's Day. Press Release by Harrack Balramsingh of CBTT, 20th May 2003
3. ^ a b c d e November 19th - International Men's Day. Press Release by Harrack Balramsingh of CBTT, 20th May 2003
4. ^ a b c International Men’s Day – Do we care? (2004) Press Release from Men's Health & Wellbeing Association (MHWA) ACT
5. ^ Join in Celebrating International Men's Day, by Harrack Balramsingh- Letter to the Editor Cayman Net News 13 Nov, 2001
6. ^ International Men's Day on Nov 19 to highlight plight of men, (2007) Outlook India [1]
7. ^ Nov 19 Marks National Men's Day, Editorial Malaysian International News Agency 2007.[2]
8. ^ Red Roses for your Blokes - It'll raise Their self esteem. Article- The Canberra Times 6th November 2004
9. ^ a b Celebrating International Men's Day - Men's Health and Wellbeing Association, background and objectives 19th Nov 2005
10. ^ International Men’s Day observed for the 4th consecutive year in TT, CBTT Article Nov 20, 2002 [3]
11. ^ ‘Addicts need treatment, not jail’ Article- The Trinidad Guardian 29 Nov 2007 [4]
12. ^ Blokes, it is your turn to celebrate. Article - Canberra Times 20 Nov 2003 [5]
13. ^ Red Roses for your Blokes - It'll raise Their self esteem. Article- The Canberra Times 6th November 2004
14. ^ a b c Dads4Kids Organization Australia [6]
15. ^ November 19 to be International Men's day : Hindustan Times News,(article) 2007
16. ^ International Men's Day – 19 November, 2008, Press Release of Save the Indian Family, Thursday, 13 November 2008
17. ^ Men's Day observance well attended. Press Release (2001), Citizens for a Better trinidad and Tobago
18. ^ International Men's day Celebrations in the U.S., (2008) Press Release by Australian Fatherhood Foundation.
19. ^ University of Kent Raise and Give newsletter, November 2008 [7]
20. ^ International Men's Day, article in The Electric New Paper News (Nov 2008)
21. ^ CBTT co-hosts 2nd International Men's Day, CBTT News Archives [8]
22. ^ Article- 'Manly respect blooms if you give those blokes a rose', The Canberra Times, November 19th 2004
23. ^ Men's Activism News Network. Press Release Dec 2008

Here's some more on the Kent celebration:
http://www.internationalmensday.com/...united_kingdom
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___

U.K. Inauguration 2008 !

On November 2008 an invitation did go out to Kent university students to come and celebrate International Men's Day at Mungos! This event was organized and coordinated by Canterbury's Kent University student organization 'Raise and Give' (or RAG as we are better known). RAG is Kent Unions charitable arm located in the Student Activities Centre which raises thousands of pounds for charity each year! The night started at 7pm with live soccer coverage of England v Germany on the big screen, and afterwards the evening heated up with a mixture of comedy and live music from student favourites, "Clacket Lane". There was a raffle including the chance to win some of the very latest computer games for X Box and PS3 alongside many more suprises! There was also a guitar hero competition and an X-box tournament with the chance to win more prizes. About 300 people attended with roughly equal numbers of males and females. The event was a resounding success and all participants had a memorable celebration.


All proceeds went to ORCHID a charity for all male cancers, including prostate, penile or testicular cancer. Male attendees at International Men's Day were invited to buy a "Know Your Balls" wrist band at Mungos campus bar and get entry discounts at the Venue for afterwards. Orchid plays a leading role in the fight against male cancer through research and awareness and by supporting patients.

Billy,

All that's needed is for one single U.S. guy to say to one (or more) of his buddies, "lets go celebrate International Men's Day with a beer and a burger". Then all he needs do is post a record of his celebration somewhere on the internet for all to see,m and he is immediately famous. He'd be written in the official history books as the guy who inaugurated IMD in the U.S. How easy is that!

I've heard of people wanting to get into the history books by doing something for the Guiness Book of Records. Like hoping on one foot for twelve hours.... Seems to me that being the first U.S. man to inaugurate IMD is a more heroic way to be remembered.

Of course someone could organize a bigger event/s too, if they wanted. No femo-nazi can stop you.

US men don't NEED another special day to honor them.
Most are secure enough in their personal integrity to just KNOW which way the wind blows, without imposing yet another "special day" on their communities.

Do they have a Fourth of July in England?
Of course, they just don't honor the day like assorted Americans do.

nternational Men's Day is an international event celebrated on 19th of November. It was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and was supported by the United Nations[1], and received in principal support

Is the 19th of November now officially recognized as International Men's Day?

Quote from CaptDMO

US men don't NEED another special day to honor them.
Most are secure enough in their personal integrity to just KNOW which way the wind blows, without imposing yet another "special day" on their communities.

Speak for yourself.

Since women have a International Women's Day, men deserve it too just as much.

It's also a handy time to bring up Men's Rights issues in the mass media.

On Breast Cancer Awareness Day, women in the media all wear something red on TV and the men on with make pleasant comments about the day and the fact that women are wearing red.

In order to get the necessary attention, men would have to hold signs in public places, especially where news and TV cameras were located in order to get on TV. Also, we could do a sticker campaign.

Yes the event has been going since 1999 when Jerome Teelucksingh of the Caribbean conceived of starting the event on the 19th Nov. He chose that date because it is his father's birthday, and he wanted to celebrate the great male role models out there...... his dad being one of them.

The event has being going strong and is spreading to other parts of the world. The early Wikipedia entry derailed IMD efforts for a while because feminists (Michael Flood in particular) valdalized the entry and placed a lot of bogus "facts" in it- such as that numerous countries around the world were already celebrating IMD but on different dates. A full search of these claims revealed that they were utterly made up, the purpose being to portray that men already get way too many international celebrations, way too much attention, therefore we shouldn't put any more energy into getting an IMD off the ground. Unfortunately this bogus info worked- people lost interest because they believed IMD was a dog's breakfast with every nation celebrating on a different day of the year making it impossible to organize a coordinated campaign. Everyone ignored it.

A factual study of IMD shows it is only ever celebrated on the 19th Nov, and IS uniform in date. All other alleged International Men's days turned out to be Father's Day, or Battle rememberence days, etc. But as many males aint dads, then we need this day, if for nothing else than to get media exposure (as Tyrael rightly suggests) of men's/boy's needs and experiences. Its a great opportunity to highlight men's issues like prostrate cancers, health, suicide, male role-models, equality before the law, discrimination in school and University, denigration of men in advertizing..... you name it.

There's a thousand ways this could be celebrated.

An IMD poster has just been put on the www in the last 24hrs. It was designed (I think) by Save The Indian Family Foundation, who are pushing hard with the IMD event. Apparently you can buy the poster as an A3

http://www.myntra.com/shop/Saveindianfamily


Passerby

Here's another..

men are too busy working overtime to pay their child maintenance imposts and in some countries alimony rip offs to attend such trendy venues I expect

it is like a public holiday for the cotton pickers in the Deep South of yore

Trendy venues?? Dunno where that came from. The tool-shed, buddy's house, footy-field, workplace, park, local watering-hole, etc. all qualify.

But I do get your point- men are too busy slaving for their dominatrixs' to dare such belligerence. Lol.

Gotta admire those Indian men (Save The Indian Family)..... they've got the balls to stand up to the mess- real role models.

Passerby

Quote from Passerby

Trendy venues?? Dunno where that came from. The tool-shed, buddy's house, footy-field, workplace, park, local watering-hole, etc. all qualify.

But I do get your point- men are too busy slaving for their dominatrixs' to dare such belligerence. Lol.

Gotta admire those Indian men (Save The Indian Family)..... they've got the balls to stand up to the mess- real role models.

Passerby

yup ! he lifts his head from the grindstone for a moment to catch his breath

I think the international mens day is a good idea if it gets men to unite and strike against the system

I think men should go on strike or do something united to show their DISGUST at the way they are treated, not celebrate having a cock and balls they have let women put in their handbags..