Masculinity: Under Construction’s next workshop will focus on bystander intervention. In general, along with all the upcoming Halloween festivities we believe its more important than ever to utilize our privileges to support folks who may be getting unwanted attention.
In this workshop we’ll discuss safe, informed, sensitive, creative and direct ways to create more options for those who appear to be experiencing gender based violence.
Key takeaways are for improving understanding and acting on it are to:
Discover- “Hey, is everything okay here?”
Direct-say it’s not okay
Distract- “Do you have the time?”
Delegate-ask for help
Delay-check in after
We would love to find a physically accessible venue because unfortunately this venue is up a flight of stairs. If its good weather, we could be outside in the park out front if folks want. Please advise if you know of a free/cheap venue with gender neutral bathrooms and physically accessible, and all around a friendly neighbourhood spot. So far this is a free event in a free venue run entirely by volunteers and our capacity is very limited. We welcome your suggestions and promise to work towards the ideal space where all male identifying folks feel open to a challenging/important conversations.
More details TBA
Thanks!!!
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General vision statement from the organizers:
This space is for male-identifying folks to get together and discuss masculinity. The aim is to challenge ourselves, review our privilege, formulate a positive form of masculinity, build community and work towards change for ourselves and others.
We plan to have this volunteer work be grounded in feminist theory and practice. We will be checking in with online resources and real life folks about how to not perpetuate toxic masculinity ourselves. Even when we are trying to do good we need to keep ourselves in check and be accountable to our communities.
We meet once per month, or depending on the group’s needs. The format of events are semi guided discussions. We’ll get a chance to share our experiences and questions and solutions in a safe space, where we will promote open conversation and learning. The goal is to push ourselves and each other to learn, and this can be an uncomfortable experience. However, any hate speech such as racism, sexism, transphobia, classism, and ableism will not be permitted. This is not a men’s rights group.