EVENTS
Chris represented MACS at a Reclaim the Night event organised in Huddersfield by the West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin. The event, which called for a #saferWestYorkshire, welcomed the participation of male allies so we were delighted to attend. The event had a good attendance from First Bus and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. Huddersfield Town FC was also actively involved by promoting the event on its website.
Two of the four themes of the Safety of Women and Girls Strategy are Education/Prevention and Behaviour Change (the others are Safe Spaces and Supporting the Secto) – which must involve men and boys, and be supported through the work of MACS.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT & LETTERS TO MPs
We made a donation to For Women Scotland, who are trying to raise £200,000 to cover their legal fees for their Supreme Court Hearing in November, regarding the definition and meaning of Sex in the Equality Act. Find out more and donate here.
Throughout October we were frequently in touch with our local MPs. Early in October we emailed our MPs regarding a legal loophole which allows for ad-hoc pop-up sexual entertainment venues to operate entirely unregulated, thus putting women at much greater harm. This was an action we took after being contacted by a women’s rights activist, requesting our support. You can find out more information about this loophole in this article in the Guardian.
A couple of weeks later we got in touch with our MPs again to send them a copy of a letter regarding the proposed “trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”. The letter was organised by James Esses originally addressed to the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and endorsed by 140+ prominent signatories which included many medical professionals who are expert in the field of gender dysphoria. You can find more information about the letter here.
NEXT DISCUSSION GROUP MEETING
For our November discussion group we’re reading A History of Masculinity: From Patriarchy to Gender Justice. The discussion group will take place on 25 November at 5:45pm (GMT) online. To join us, please email allies@menchallengingsexism.org.uk or contact us on social media.
