I honestly thought this was a piss take.

[Cavanchezmode]

Menfest. I shit you not.

menfest.org/

I don't see the problem either.
There are plenty of female only events.

@SparklingBrook

I know springbreak I am furious, I really am!

No it isn’t a syllogism. This is THE most privileged section of society getting together because they feel in some way lacking or badly done to. Instead of sitting around whining, they’d be better targeting the group of men who really DO need support in society, socially and mentally, and I suggest that that group, who have a high correlation with social deprivation, learning difficulties and disability, are unlikely to be the same group who sit stone cold sober in a field, with their heads up their own backsides.

Who’s to say men who need support won’t be attending? That they might feel comfortable discussing issues together? You obviously have decided straight away what kind of men are attending without even seeing any kind of evidence as such.

Discriminating much OP?

Do you feel as strongly about women only groups / events, or social events for people with disabilities, different sexualities etc as well, or is it just men you don’t like seeing get together?

They'll not get DH there without bacon sarnies! I've sent him the link anyway because does look good...

The blurb says "...an actual festival to explore what makes us Men."

DH has just replied with "Chromosomes"

I think it’s a great idea. I’ll send my DH to get in touch with his inner hemp.

Liberation of women does not = male bashing.
^^ this

Have you stopped to think that perhaps if there were more conscious gatherings of men, a chance for them to explore their emotions and inner feelings it could benefit women?!
Every day there’s threads on here about unconscious men projecting their anger / hatred / frustration / violence at women.
If they were taught how to channel this and released it safely the world would be a better place.

So yes OP, YABVVVU!!!

What a horrible thread and some nasty and ridiculous comments.

So middle class white men can’t suffer mental health issues? You fucking serious?? I’ll tell that to my two friends who are currently on ADs and having counselling - and they’re only the ones brave enough to seek help.

I hope my brothers, sons and amazing friends never encounter some of the deeply unpleasant attitudes expressed here.

OP have you actually read about this properly or just had a glance and decided it's 'astonishing' because it's aimed at men?

I can't see why you're so offended by it.

Good post @StitchingMoss

I have sent the link to DH too, and he seems quite interested, and my brother thinks it looks fab too. Also sent it to several other male relatives and a few male pals I know. I have also sent it to a few female friends to pass onto their DH to see if they fancy it. The ten or so people I have sent the link to (and showed it to in real life,) think it looks great!

@Cavanchezmode

Thanks for sharing this with us all.

Shame it didn't get the reaction you wanted. Better luck next time!

You are a real life example of the reason why feminism gets a bad rep OP.

It's as if you've just seen the word man and thought NOPE, WRONG!

I think its a fab idea, a nice spiritual place mini retreat for men to just let it go and be themselves. Men struggle too and the charities that they have proposed to donate too are really good charities. Also the white men privilege - one of the founders is Indian. Tickets seem reasonably priced.
Good for them and great for any man who attends.

When people bring up the issue of men's MH and suicide (which is most commonly to try and detail some sort of discussion about women's issues) the answer is, quite rightly, that men are free to campaign and organise things to try and tackle that issue.
But when they actually do, like the event in the OP, people still moan!

Exactly.

I can't even begin to understand why the OP is so angry about this.

Why not? It isn't like they plan to run around shooting guns at each other or putting women down!

I would need to do some more research, but there is actually such a thing as an ethical man-relevant charity. An example would be charities that promote men's health, addressing such issues as prostate and testicular cancer, and mental health. Men's health is absolutely a thing and it's very important.

And the point I stand by is that it’s bloody extraordinary that the most privileged section of society feels the need to do this

The need to do what? From what I can see, the Menfest agenda has nothing to do with promoting the position of men in society. It's just men hanging out together doing crafts and yoga and stuff. So male privilege is not really relevant.

This is THE most privileged section of society getting together because they feel in some way lacking or badly done to

Where does it say they are lacking or hard done by? Maybe they just want to hang out with other men?

Seems like the idea of it just irks you OP.

A festival about promoting 'healthy masculinity' which seems to have a focus on giving mental and spiritual support to a group that often struggle to ask for it, as a result of toxic masculinity.

Honestly, I'd assume only the likes of incels or chauvinists would have a problem with this.

The world could do with a few more men who are happy to sit and talk about feelings and thoughts

Completely agree. It looks brilliant (if not my cup of tea, even if I were a man) and I don't understand how anyone could have an issue with it.

OP, I don't agree with the "white lives matter" comparison at all:

1. this festival doesn't seem to be politically motivated at all
2. the existence of this festival doesn't undermine or mock the feminist movement
3. men as a whole suffer in various ways under the patriarchy too

Honestly, I'd assume only the likes of incels or chauvinists would have a problem with this.

Same. Tenner says they'd be calling anyone that attended "beta cucks".

I think you need to accept that women aren't the only group of people who suffer from hardships.

Yes of course women's struggles have been prevalent throughout history and the fight against those continues however, men as a section of society still face their own difficulties, examples of which have been shared by PP.

It does lessen our issues as women or take away from the importance of those.

I find it incredibly odd that it infuriates you so much. Toxic masculinity is a problem, the suicide statistics for men are a problem, I could go on...

They are not taking over or encroaching on 'women's issues'. It should be offensive to us that men suffer in society with various things as well. It isn't either or, there are issues to be fought in all societal groups.

It doesn't lessen**

Seems like the idea of it just irks you OP.

Agreed.

I think the OP was banking on everyone having a good old snigger at the idea of this.

Because we live in a patriarchal society which is absolutely set up around the needs and power of men. So why the fuck they need to get together to discuss it further is quite beyond me. Rather like “white privilegefest”.
But men are fucked over by patriarchy too. Maybe it only works for actual patriarchs.