Second-Class Citizenship

Most of the U.S. is busy pandering to women. I nominate Bellingham, Washington, as the worst panderer. Men of Bellingham are truly second-class citizens. During about a four month period, I have noticed 33 activities and events that are by, for, and about women. As far as I could tell, none of these events received any complaints. I could only find 2 comparable activities for men, one of which received a complaint of being sexist.

So I took it upon myself to complain to the organizers about the sexism of a few of the women's events. For the most part, I was ignored. Apparently sexism is of little concern if it is against men. One organization, however, did respond to my complaint: its bicycle maintenance class was changed from "for women only" to "especially for women."

One of the events listed is an article in a local newspaper which raved about an appearance of the Chippendale male strippers. I do not believe I will live long enough to see a local mainstream newspaper give a positive review of female strippers.

FOR WOMEN

2/4/12--Western Washington University (WWU) sponsors Elect Her to encourage women to run for student government

2/16--Fairhaven Bike and Ski sponsors Ladies Night

2/22 to 2/25--WWU sponsors Vagina Memoirs

3/6--the class Owning Your Female Power begins

3/7--Wild Whatcom Walks sponsors Ladies Night Out

3/8--International Women's Day is celebrated with a screening of the film "Miss Representation"

3/18--YWCA sponsors Northwest Women's Hall of Fame Dinner

4/4--the newspaper, Cascadia Weekly, gives a glowing review of the Chippendale strippers

4/6--Wild Whatcom Walks has Ladies Night Out

4/11--City council member Cathy Lehman reveals that she ran for the position because she is female

4/19--Kulshan Cycle sponsors Ladies Night

4/21--Boating For Women By Women Seminar at Squalicum Yacht Club

4/27--A women's gym, Butterfly LIFE, presents "Chicago" for it's Flicks for Chicks.

4/28--Men bring attention to domestic violence against women by walking in women's shoes

5/4--Marianne's House (for adults with developmental disabilities) sponsors an auction of local eligible bachelors at a nearby casino

5/10--Everybody Bike sponsors a bicycle maintenance class for women

5/11--the Fairhaven community of Bellingham sponsors Girls' Night Out.

5/12--Represent! shows a film and sponsors a discussion encouraging women to run for public office

5/13--benefit concert for Bellingham Girls Rock, a summer camp dedicated to empowering girls

5/15--HD Vest Investment Services offers 3 seminars in its Women's Empowerment Series

5/18--downtown Bellingham sponsors Ladies' Night Out

5/18--Bellingham Technical College explores non-traditional careers for women with The Road Less Graveled

5/19-- American Association of University Women holds a benefit supporting scholarships for women in local colleges.

5/20--WWU sponsors the film "Miss Representation" about the media's view of women in power

6/1--YWCA sponsors Leadership Breakfast, a benefit for homeless women

6/1--Bhakti Flow Yoga has a benefit for Womencare Shelter

6/2--YMCA sponsors Girls On the Run 5K run

6/2--Female Artists for Music Education sponsors a benefit featuring female musicians and artists

6/8--Everybody Bike sponsors Diva Cycle, a bike ride with shopping

Ongoing--Habitat for Humanity sponsors Women Build Program

Ongoing--Kokoro Yoga has Kundalini Yoga for Women every Tuesday

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FOR MEN

March is MAN Month at Joy of Pilates

4/20--WWU sponsors Strongman competition