Men’s rights activist group relocates conference, but opposition follows

I am hoping the MRA conference is a success, but I also have concerns about Paul Elam and AVFM representing the MRA. The quotes used to criticize him are pretty damming. I never posted at AVFM as the site was a turn-off for me. I visited it a few times years ago when Elam wrote most the articles and I thought he was purposely being crude and over-the top with his headlines and sound bites, and I found them to be more about seeking attention and for shock value rather than insightful or accurate (for example he has written about how women are begging to be raped). I suppose drawing attention to MRA is helpful -so he gained two steps forward for that, but how many steps back did he take by claiming he would never convict a true rapist or for declaring bash-a-bitch month? Nothing he has said is worse than what some feminists have said, but why stoop to that level? Now he has given feminist full ammunition.

I am hoping for a successful conference and for more MRA conferences in the future, but I think Elam and AVFM will either have to change their ways or detach their names from future conferences to avoid backlash.

Just out of curiousity, can you please link to the article in which Paul claims "women beg to be raped"? I've been reading that site for years and have never seen such an article.

In regards to the article entitled "Bash a Bitch Month", it was actually called "Bash a Violent Bitch Month", and it was simply a satirical gender reversal of an article Jezebel posted earlier that week for "feminist fuck you week". The article being satirized glorified violence against men by women. The parody was never meant to be taken seriously. Janet Bloomfield has a clarification here:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/janet-bloomfield/2014/06/350587/

Naturally, that article is quote-mined often. It is ironic though, because it was written in that manner solely for the sake of pointing out the double standards regarding how domestic violence against women is perceived vis-a-vis domestic violence against men. It is beyond telling how people get enraged infinitely more over the satirical version than they do over the original, which was actually meant to be taken seriously. It is also worth noting that few would feel sorry for a man who hit his wife and then was hit back as a result of her defending herself. Yet, most of society expects men to never hit a woman, even in self-defense. I, for one, find it logically and morally bankrupt to give women the privilege of using men as punching bags. It is another reason why I don't understand why that article caused so much outrage.

@Xtrnl please don't push "reply" to me, as I may go back and delete my last two posts after awhile, as I think it is harmful to the MRA to have these quotes and links around for anyone to find and then use against us.

The article you linked to was posted before I began reading AVfM (2011). I can't believe he would go that far. Given that, you are certainly correct. Paul Elam is bad news for this movement. He is far too extreme and reactionary, and ultimately anathema to the causes we stand for.

I am a big believer in self improvement, second chances and redemption. The fact that Elam removed and edited some content shows he had concerns. Whatever negative light he had brought on to the MRA, there is no denying that he has also done many positive things. As far as I know he/AVFM is responsible for organizing this conference which is huge, IMO.

I am curious as to what happened to "Regist-her". I thought it was a good idea, but I heard some people thought it got less credible and diluted by putting too many women on it for minor incidences. I assume there were legal issues as it just disappeared and I cant imagine him shutting it down unless he was forced to.

Anyway, I am hoping for a successful MRA conference and more in the future.