I honestly thought this was a piss take.

[Cavanchezmode]

Menfest. I shit you not.

menfest.org/

Oh thank God someone has at last arranged something for the most underrepresented and underprivileged group in society - middle class white men. There's actually a rumour out there that they've run the world for the last 2000 years, and that they're still massively the beneficiaries of structural discrimination and privilege, but it's all a wicked lie, I tell you.

Since when has men being encouraged to get in touch with their feelings, and be in support of feminism and against toxic masculinity such a bad thing??

If you wanted to run similar and were told you couldn't because it's for women, fair enough. But there's literally a parallel festival as well as plenty of other things for women only.

I agree you Curious...I personally wouldn’t have any interest in attending the women’s event myself...but that doesn’t mean I don’t think it should happen. Let the men weave lentils and chat shit.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Tempted to go.

My initial reaction was similar to yours OP - but looking at the website one of the areas is called the Black Tent

"Black Tent
A safe place to explore grief, anger and shadow."

I think that can only be a good thing really.
I suppose it is a similar idea to Mens Sheds.

Great idea. What’s the problem? (Other than the ridiculous notion that men should never all get together as a group because patriarchy)

I know what you mean OP, a massively represented group have made a special 'fest' and in my opinion that's weird. It's like people who say stupid counter arguments like 'white lives matter'.

Oh god.

'if you resonate with the label ‘Man’' and want to get in touch with a lot of other resonantly pretentious chumps...

Meh, its not hurting anyone so I honestly couldn't care less tbh.

I’m genuinely struggling to see what negatives this festival brings to any lives? Even if it is an indulgence activity for a privileged group. So what? Who is it harming?

downcasteyes and yet they're at greatest risk of death by suicide.

Lots of men experience depression, grief, feelings of not being good enough. Male privilege doesn't automatically imbue every man with a sense of superiority and the ability to never need help or support.

This can go ahead and has absolutely no baring on you, your life, or your ability to go on the same.

Ok I'm a ardent feminist but I do not see any issue with this festival?
Having read all the blurb there is nothing that indicates it's in any way misogynistic.
Men have in common the experience of being men and so why shouldnt they bond and do things together? That doesnt have to be anti woman any more than women meeting up to discuss their experiences is anti man!!
I think it's a good idea as it seems quite new age from the blurb and seems to be a gathering encouraging men to talk about their feelings with each other... I think thats a positive expression of masculinity tbh.

Seems like a load of rubbish BUT there’s no guarantee that they’re all blindly ignorant of the patriarchy. Seems like the sort of thing where they’d discuss that very issue and how they can avoid perpetuating that etc.

I'm really struggling to see what concerns anybody could have about this.

Are all-male groups not allowed to arrange to get together and just enjoy themselves?

There's likely also a Reggae festival being organised right now for this Summer, somewhere in Jamaica. I'm not a Reggae fan and I don't live anywhere near Jamaica, so I wouldn't dream of going - but I don't have the slightest objection whatsoever against those who are planning to attend.

YABU - it's not always about you.

...It's a nice thing, isn't it? Why shouldn't men have a get-together for themselves just the same as any group can? Looks like its promoting positive masculinity rather than negative as well.

Feminism is supposed to be seeking equality across all genders rather than man-bashing.

Men are more likely to die by suicide but women are still more likely to attempt suicide. It's just men tend to be more successful due to methods used. I do agree that there is a problem there that needs to be addressed which is why it is so important to question every day sexism no matter how petty it may seem.

I still don't see what the issue is with this either.

I really hope the the haters on here dont have sons , god knows what messages you send over

So maybe men have 'ruled' the world since time began ...get over it , stop looking for something to get offended by and start living a constructive and useful life
Stop bringing people down , start building people up instead

has anyone objected to the W.I or Mothers Union yet ?

Feminism is not about equality. It's about the liberation of women. Liberation of women does not = male bashing.

But if men want a space to talk about their issues then that is fine by me.

I have no problem with this whatsoever.

Not all men are arseholes.

🤷🏻‍♀️

I am staunchly feminist and unless this event is being used as a cover for an anti women agenda, I don't see the issue.
Regardless of a patriarchal society, toxic masculinity exists. There's a huge push on focussing on mens mental health, male suicide vastly out numbers women's because we're much more comfortable discussing our issues.
A retreat for like minded men to do yoga and craft and eat nice food without being mocked for drinking a 'girly' drink by someone in the pub is of little concern in my book.

What on earth’s wrong with it? The professionally offended reach new heights - or depths - every day. If mine wanted to go I’d be delighted.

It sounds fine to me...

Totally OUTRAGEOUS!!!

A festival without beer? I think I need a sit down.

Male suicide is very sad and should absolutely be taken seriously and measures should always be taken to prevent it but I think it's best not to forget that worldwide females attempt suicide at a higher rate, they just don't tend to pick as violent methods and therefore survive more.

I don't think a Reggae festival is comparable in any way! As far as I know people who listen to Reggae aren't a privileged group.

Patriarchy hurts men too. Why wouldn't it be okay for them to have a safe single sex space to explore and express what they need?

I go to a hippy festival that has men's and women's areas - they're small, well signed and the majority of the festival takes part in other the spaces where everybody can attend. There's always somebody mouthing off on social media afterwards that it's not fair that they were told off for "accidentally" wandering into the wrong area and everybody should be included everywhere. But the men's space does very important work, as does the women's.