Dr. Richard Gelles wrote an important article for men's activists that details some of the ways that research about DV against men has been repressed and attacked over the years. It's an incredible eye-opener, and is definitely must-read material for DV activists. The L.A. chapter of NCFM received permission to reprint it on their web site, and it can be viewed here.

Steve Imparl has put together a very comprehensive outline of men's issues (focusing on men's legal rights), in a PDF document that can be downloaded here. This could be a useful reference for many people, so feel free to download it and give Steve your feedback at SImparl@aol.com.

Dan Lynch writes "Dan Curry wanted people to hear this Thompson and Sacks interview (part one, part two) with Marc Angelucci, the leader of the LA chapter of NCFM. On September 3, Angelucci discussed LA/NCFM's groundbreaking civil rights lawsuit and its drive to create a Los Angeles Commission for Men. Angelucci will also discuss his campaign to increase services for male victims of domestic violence in Los Angeles. Angelucci, Thompson, and Sacks will also discuss the California Senate's recent passage of the Paternity Justice Act (AB 2240) and the work and testimony of both the American Coalition for Fathers and Children (ACFC) and LA/NCFM on behalf of the bill. Listeners are urged to write, call, or fax California Governor Gray Davis and urge him to sign this bill.
Davis can be contacted by e-mail at governor@governor.ca.gov, by phone at 916-445-2841, by fax at 916-445-4633, or by regular mail at Governor's Office, Governor Gray Davis, State Capitol Building,
Sacramento, CA 95814. Listeners are urged to write "I support AB 2240" in big letters across the top of their letters and faxes. For more information on the National Coalition of Free Men, visit their website at www.ncfm.org."

Thundercloud. writes "I don't know about the rest of the country, but where I live, Progressive Insurance is running their "Man being castrated with pliers, by ex-wife" commercial again. They are running it just as often as before our 'letters of protest', and at all hours of the day. Even when children can see it. It seems misandry wins, yet again. As for me, I'm just gonna go bang my head against the wall."

Dan Lynch writes "I'd like to suggest an open discussion about honouring those who we feel have contributed to the rights, health and glory of men. I'm sure everyone has their favorites but I would like to name as many names as we can brainstorm to accredit to our cause. It could even be people who contribute to this board or people from the past. It could even be people who did so inadvertently in respect to fairness , fellowship or advocacy of any sort towards men. This could be a time to make an awareness of even the least of the notables. I for one strongly believe in knowledge as the precursor to activism. Once we are armed with knowledge nothing can stop us. It's also good to know who is out there and who is on our side and with the constant growth of the men's movement hopefully this is something we will have to up date all the time."

Bledso writes "Ellen Goodman is at it again. She has written an article that dismisses the gender gap in education as "crisis reporting". She states "You don't need a bachelor's degree to pick up a subtext in the crisis reporting: Somehow or other, women are upsetting the natural order of things". The article can be read here.

Tummler sent in this article and writes "A tardy six year old boy was suspended for three days from his Canton Ohio elementary school last spring for running to the window one morning and flagging down his schoolbus. Unfortunately for the pure souls of the six year old girls on board, he hadn't gotten his clothes on yet. Unfortunately for him, he's just become a man."

The Battered Men's Helpline is sponsoring its second annual conference on domestic violence against men. It will be held in Portland, Maine, on the afternoon of October 19. I attended this event last year and wrote up a summary of it (with photos). I'm definitely planning on attending again this year and I hope if you're in the area you will too. The program last year was excellent and I understand that this year there will be seating for more than 200 people. Help make sure these seats are filled and let others know about this conference, one of the only of its kind, focusing on DV against men. For more info see the BMH announcement of the conference.

Warren Farrell has written an essay on the glass cellar of dangerous employment in which many men find themselves. The time has long since come for society to accept the fact that men's lives have as much value as women's lives.

A recent post on the Men's Health America mailing list details the "four fatal flaws of CEDAW," including the fact that it's anti-male and allows for no recognition of gender discrimination against men. As they conclude, " CEDAW is an attempt to impose a radical gender ideology on countries around the world. CEDAW seeks to create a double-standard of rights and responsibilities for men and women. CEDAW represents a serious threat to family stability and gender equality."

ahhkaboom writes "This story is a bit different. I was on NBC's website to peruse the new season of PC tv programming, and stumbled across this website of a new show ["Hidden Hills"]. Doesn't the man look like he has his severed penis on a fork, while his empowered businesswoman-wife looks gleeful? Check out the picture below, where the man covers his crotch after being hit in the you-know-where."

SJones writes "Male bashing T-shirts are becoming a big thing again. Unfortunately this latest wave of them is starting in California in the retail chain Hot Topic, which means it will likely sweep eastward without much resistance. Tresa McBee wrote a good article about it for Wendy McElroy's ifeminists. The article is here." Oh boy. First the stickers, now the shirts. And Hot Topic is a national chain - we've got them in malls on the east coast too.

Ken Lucero from Albuquerque, NM sends news that a local men's rights group in that area is growing and that they're working to become an official chapter of NCFM by early 2003. They meet every Thursday at 1 PM at the Bennigan's restaurant on Louisiana St. in Albuquerque. If you'd like to attend the meetings, just show up or contact ken at kenrlucero@juno.com for more info.

RPB659 writes "Hi Guys,
While I visit this site often, this is my first time posting anything. Remember those offensive stickers that were at Ames Department stores? Well, they're back. This time they are at Big Y grocery stores. For those of you that never heard of them, it's a chain of grocery stores in Western Massachusetts. It's run by the D'Amour family. I'm sure we can get them to remove the stickers in the same manner that Ames did." Excellent idea - but we need more info. Are the stickers being sold on the shelves, or at vending machines like they were at Ames? And can anyone find contact info for Big Y so we can write to them?

Peter Allemano from the NYC chapter of NCFM informed me that a panel on domestic violence against men is being held by the Queens Women's Network, to listen to the needs of male victims of domestic violence. The QWM sponsors a service center for DV victims and does a lot of outreach programs in the borough of Queens. This is a rare opportunity for both sides to come together on an important dialogue, and they are currently looking for speakers that can participate on the panel. They already are including Stanley Green, also a member of NCFM and a co-founder of Stop Abuse for Everyone. This is possibly the first public discussion on DV against men (straight, bi, or gay) being held in NYC. The forum will be held on October 17, and if you can make it to be a panelist or simply want to see the event in person, please contact Peter at PAllemano@cravath.com. I have to say, the fact that events like this are happening at all is a very encouraging sign.