Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Ben Atherton-Zeman - Feminist, Actor and Husband" <>]

Sexual Assault Prevention Friends: there is still time to register for this 
amazingly affordable conference!  Please spread the word by forwarding this 
message, especially to your colleagues in the NYC area.  

Anti-Sexist Hot July Bulletin! :

     What are your plans for the weekend of August 3 - 6, a few weeks from 
now?   Sitting around, trying to beat the heat? !   Consider perhaps, 
instead, having a memorable, life-enhancing experience at the Anti-Sexist 
Men's Movement M&M gathering, near New York City, "Creating Connections for 
Gender Justice"!  

     I've copied below the detailed Program for the weekend, which as you 
will see is rich, exciting, and multi-dimensional.  And beyond this formal 
program, there will be the safe, mind-expanding, gender-exploring, 
personally-rewarding atmosphere that is the thirty-year legacy of the M&M 
Conferences.  It's not too late to decide to join us!    Go to Nomas.org to 
get details and register.




  31st National Conference on Men & Masculinity (M&M 31)
Creating Connections for Gender Justice
August 3 - 6, 2006   Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ
18th Annual Men's Studies Association Meeting
Conference Schedule 


Thursday, August 3rd
7:00-7:30pm Opening
7:30-9:00pm Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House 
                              Written and performed by Peterson Toscano
Having survived 17 years of gay reparative therapy, through six characters, 
Peterson leads a comic tour of a residential program that attempts to make 
gays straight.  Outrageously funny, poignant and timely, this comedy exposes 
the madness and danger of "change" programs.  
Open to Public. At the door $15, Students/Seniors $5

Friday, August 4th    (Details of these Institutes on Nomas.org)
9:00-10:30am Ending Men's Violence, Man to Man
Jim McDowell, Marvin Anderson, Peter Heymann, Co-Facilitators

10:30-11:00am Break
11:00-1:00pm "Ism" White Supremacy 
David Billings, The People's Institute for Survival & Beyond, New Orleans, LA

1:00-2:30pm Lunch
2:30-5:30pm Men's Studies Association Meeting
David Greene and Carole Campana, Co-Chairs  
Nonexistent Knights: Men's Situational Gender Practices in Campus Anti-Rape 
Organizing
Michael Messina-Yauchzy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology, Criminology 
& Criminal Justice, Keuka College
Integrating Constructs of Masculinity and Spirituality in the Transition to 
Manhood - A New Zealand Study
Andrew Smith, Programme Leader, Counseling and Family Studies, Bethlehem 
Tertiary Institute, Tauranga, New Zealand.
The Closet Freak: An Examination of Black Masculinity in Hip Hop
Derrick L. Williams, graduate student (Ph.D.), Southern Illinois 
University/Mentoring Specialist at Southern Illinois Regional Social Services.
Negotiating and Constructing Masculinity:  The Role of Gender, Identity, and 
"Normality" in Reparative Therapy
Billy LeSesne III, graduate student (M.A.), University of West Georgia
5:45-7:15pm Dinner
7:30-9:00pm Who Are the Real Male Bashers?
Dr. Michael Kimmel, Professor of Sociology, SUNY Stony Brook, longtime NOMAS 
activist, who has written or edited about 20 volumes on men and masculinity.

9:30-12:00am Coffee House Open Mic hosted by Ben Atherton-Zeman, in which 
anyone who creates music, poetry, story-telling, drama, or other creative 
work is invited to share it with the anti-sexist community.

Saturday, August 5th
9:00-10:30am Men's Role in the Prevention of Violence Against Women

Ron Figueroa, Director Rockland Alliance for Prevention
Eduardo Gonzalez, Educator, Cornell Coorperative Extension
Jack Straton
10:30-11:00am Break



11:00-12:30pm Workshops Session A



1A. The "F-Word": Combating Sexism, Racism & Classism 
This workshop will use individual and group exercises to explore the term 
"feminist," the common stereotypes, resistance to woman-centered spaces and 
actions, and the oppression internalized by women from negative feedback in 
their community.  Participants will examine the connections between the 
resistance and the threat of dismantling traditional gender roles, and learn 
techniques to become allies in supporting feminism in their community.
Bianca Frisby is an advocate for women's and minority rights in healthcare, 
and co-produced three educational documentary films exploring the special 
challenges to minorities in the south.
Janelle Yamarick is Community Services Director of the Feminist Women's 
Health Center, Executive Director of Georgia NARAL, and has created programs 
to empower underserved women such as the homeless, refugees, young Latinas, 
and Lesbians.
2A.  Men, Drugs, and Prisons
As many American men are in prison as attend college today, and the 
government's "war on drugs" has become a major factor shaping the landscape 
of our society.  In this Panel three activists and professionals look from 
political and personal perspectives at men, drugs, and prisons.
Sandra Bernabei, Drop the Rock campaign
Marlene Brooks, Police Commissioner and Corrections Counselor
Marvin Anderson, Professional Substance Abuse Counselor
3A. Pink and Blue Straightjackets:  Promoting Gender Equity in Early 
Childhood 
While equality and individuality have been major forces in the history of the 
United States, the rigid gender "shorthand" we have been taught still 
permeates the messages children receive. Sadly, developmental energy becomes 
coopted in the service of "fitting in". This workshop will examine the 
benefits of establishing gender equity, and recommendations for parents, 
schools and early childhood programs. 
Chip James is a psychotherapist, trainer for CANDLE, the National Association 
of Social Workers, APA, and a school social worker in Clarkstown, NY.
4A. Time to Talk About Class   
While we live in an era where conversations about diversity are squarely on 
the table, social class and classism remain among the least discussed issues 
in American society.   In this workshop we will explore defining 
characteristics and dynamics of social class.  Participants will engage in 
exercises designed to foster inter-class dialog and understanding. 
David Greene is an activist scholar who is Co-Chair of the Men's Studies 
Association of NOMAS and a founding member of the Poverty-Class/Working-Class 
Academics List.  
Rose Garrity is a national leader of the movement against Domestic Violence.
5A. Causes of Intimate Partner Violence & Men's Work Organizing to End 
Violence Against Women
With discussions and interactive exercises, we will explore the causes of 
intimate partner abuse.  We will also discuss and describe men's work 
organizing to end violence against women.  We will offer some information 
about the important DELTA Project.
Lynn Sheinkin is active at the Rockland Family Shelter, and in the DELTA 
Project, which implements activities to prevent domestic violence.
Lorien Castelle is Director of Prevention Programming at New York State 
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and coordinates the DELTA Project.
6A. Organizing Men to Stop Men's Violence Against Women: A Possible Five Step 
Plan
This interactive workshop will explain and train participants in a five-step 
process for involving men in their local community in confronting male 
violence.  The workshop includes video clips, one of which includes a graphic 
representation of violence against women.
Ben Atherton-Zeman is an activist, organizer, actor, comedian, feminist, and 
husband in Acton, Massachusetts.

12:30-2:00pm Lunch
2:00-3:30pm Reaching Out to Young Men 
Discussion on getting young men to work on ending men's violence against 
women and ways music offers a unique space for men to negotiate issues of 
gender, sexuality and identity.
Khaatim S. El, Men Stopping Violence, Atlanta, GA
Jimmy Draper is a music journalist and a student in the University of 
Michigan's Ph.D. program in Mass Communication. 
Phil Harding is a student at Ramapo College and is the Outreach Coordinator 
at the Women's Center at Ramapo College.
3:30-4:00pm Break



4:00-5:30pm Workshops Session B 



B1. Student Perspectives of Activism on a College Campus: 
Creating Change and Spreading Peace 
This panel discussion will present our experiences as student activists 
addressing issues of hate crimes, classism, violence against women, and peace 
education. Each of the panelists are members of student led activist 
organizations that aim to create a positive change in their campus community 
through outreach, campaigns, rallies, demonstrations, and educational 
programming.  We will describe the goals and methods used to create change at 
a college community, and attendees may share thoughts and ideas with student 
activists.
Jennifer Gaskins is an undergraduate at Montclair State and a student 
employee at the Center for Non-Violence and Prevention Programs.
Brian Yankouski is Vice President of Students Against Violence at Montclair 
State and a student employee at the Center for Non-Violence and Prevention 
Programs.
Erica Emmich is President of Students Against Violence at Montclair State and 
a student employee at the Center for Non-Violence and Prevention Programs.
Amanda Ahearn is an executive member and outreach coordinator of Students 
Taking Action Now: Dafur-the Montclair State Univ. Chapter.
Michele Kovach is an undergraduate at Montclair State and President of 
Students Taking Action Now: Dafur-the Montclair State Univ. Chapter.  
B2. Sexual and Domestic Violence:  The More We Know..
The latest research findings, and on-the-ground experiences with sexual and 
domestic violence, will be examined by a Panel of experts from groups 
focusing on research, women's rights and empowerment, and human rights.   
These organizations participate in "Up the River Endeavors", a consortium 
seeking a better world through identification of the root causes of poverty, 
oppression, discrimination and violence throughout the world.
David J. Andrews is Executive Vice President of the Center for the 
Advancement of Women, a New York based think tank on women's health and 
social issues. Other Panelists to be announced.
B3. Keys to the Closet: Addressing the Needs of LGBT Youth.      
This presentation will provide a model of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
transgender) identity development from an ecological perspective, which will 
lead to clear implications for counseling, management, and policy.  The 
workshop will be both experiential and didactic, provide resources and 
recommendations for inclusion and support.  The workshop will be pertinent to 
educators, family members, and others who deal with adolescents. 
Chip James is a psychotherapist, trainer for CANDLE, the National Association 
of Social Workers, APA, and a school social worker in Clarkstown, NY.
B4. Men's Issues in Art    
My paintings and prints of male figures awkwardly interacting in landscapes 
explore both how men relate to one another and the cultural construction of 
maleness. The performative nature of masculinity, men's fear of femininity 
and homosexuality, and the complexity of male homosocial relationships are 
underlying themes in these works.
Brad Guarino holds an MFA from the University of Connecticut and will be 
pursuing post-graduate study at the National Academy of Arts in Bulgaria next 
year on a Fulbright Fellowship. 
Brad would like to involve other creative artists-of any kind-who explore the 
construct of masculinity in their art. If you are a creative artist whose 
work explores male role themes and you want to participate, please email him 
before 7/25 at 

 or speak to him at the conference before 8/5 workshop.
B5. Masculinity and Young Urban Men 
This video presentation consists of interviews with several of our students 
at the MATCH School in Boston, which serves a poor urban population.  It 
examines their masculinity ideals, self-presentations, and projections as 
future male adults-important in light of the increasing influence of urban 
popular culture on society as a whole.  Topics will include: male heroes and 
role models; masculine roles in society; beliefs about sexism, gender roles, 
and social norms; and possibilities for positive social change in the realm 
of urban youth masculinities. 
Tal Peretz is a Feminist, Queer Activist, Environmentalist, and Yogi who 
authored a major in Diversity and Oppression at the Pennsylvania State 
University, focusing on Feminist Masculinities and Social Change.
Alia Smith earned her B.A. in Psychology at Spelman College and participated 
in research on such topics as sexual attitudes in African-American college 
students and aggressive behavior in women. 
B6.  Boys will be Men
We hear that expression all our lives.  What does it mean? Boys will grow up 
to be men: our brothers, fathers, uncles, friends and partners.  How do 
gender rules box us in?  Join in a lively discussion with Student Activists 
Ending Dating Abuse (SAEDA) and see how young people are changing "the box."
Tiffany Card, Youth Coordinator, Rockland Family Shelter and SAEDA students

5:45-7:15pm Dinner
7:30-9:00pm Voices of Men
                       by Ben Atherton-Zeman
An educational comedy that deals with several important issues: sexual 
assault and consent; dating violence and domestic violence; sexual harassment 
and objectification.  It uses humor and celebrity male voice impressions to 
bring these topics to audiences in a way that minimizes male defensiveness.  
Each male character is forced to deal with one of the issues listed above - 
in doing so, they come to the realization that they are, in fact, both part 
of the problem and part of the solution.

9:30-12:30am Dance



Sunday, August 6th


9:00-10:30am LGBTQ Activism Panel  
LaQuetta Nelson, Newark Pride Alliance
Barbra Casbar, Gender Rights Advocacy Assn of NJ, Garden State Equality, 
             NJ Stonewall
John Shields, Rockland County Mayor, Marriage Equality
Jeffrey McGowan, Don't Ask, Don't Tell Military

10:30-11:00am Break


11:00-12:30pm    Workshops Session C



C1. Power and Positioning in GLBT Relationships 
This experiential and interactive workshop will explore overt and covert 
relational dynamics, within a matrix of power and positioning, in GLBT 
relationships, in order to develop an analysis of external and internal 
forces that may negatively or positively impact same sex / gender 
relationships.
Moshe Rozdzial is a psychotherapist and diversity trainer in Denver, CO, and 
is national co-chair of NOMAS. 
Randy Weled is a process psychotherapist and diversity trainer in San 
Francisco, and is a member of the NOMAS national council.
C2. Gay Priests and Other Bogeymen
This presentation examines the role of homophobia in the reaction to the 2002 
sex scandal in the Catholic Church by the media, the public and the Church 
itself.  It will show the ways in which a double standard in the social 
construction of sexual orientation is used to perpetuate the myth of that 
homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to be sexual predators of 
children. Discussion will include ways to effectively present this topic to 
undergraduate students. 
Steve Clark is a psychologist at Keene State College, founder of the KSC 
Homophobia Project, and a member of the Campus Commission on the Status of 
Diversity and Multiculturalism.

C3. Critique of the Promisekeepers
A brief overview of the history of "evangelicalism" will lead into a 
discussion of what some modern evangelicals today like about  Promisekeepers, 
and what some dislike from a pro-feminist viewpoint.  Over-simplification of 
interpersonal issues, implicit theocracy (Dominionism), and male supremacy 
will be examined, as well as a few basic Christian theological issues.
Allen Corben is a single dad living in Pasadena, CA, and working at Fuller 
Seminary, where he is interested in expanding the commitment of faith-based 
persons to ending all forms of oppression.
C4. Islam's Vision of a "Real" Man : the Case from Morocco 
I will explore masculinity in a Muslim society, especially in Morocco, and 
examine the Islamic vision of a "real man," as part of a comprehensive study 
of the ideological interpretation of the Quran (i.e the Muslim Holy Book) to 
justify the notion of masculinity, power and patriarchy.
Mohamed Malchouch is a Moroccan researcher in masculinity, and works as a 
consultant in King Abdul-Aziz Foundation for Islamic Studies and Humanities 
in Casablanca, Morocco.
C5. Spirit of Culture:  Understanding Violence Against Women in the Context 
of Gender Bias in America.
You will explore your individual and group cultural identities using a 
strength-based approach. Spirit of Culture is a multi-media experience that 
will expand your knowledge base about the history of gender bias and show it 
in the context of violence against women. Participants will learn how to use 
practical activities within their communities to begin conversations about 
diversity, including race, gender identity, sexual orientation and ability.
Alan O'Hashi is a seasoned cultural competency trainer who holds an MPA from 
the Colorado University-Denver Center on Domestic Violence and has conducted 
training for a variety of organizations, from Head Start to Denver 
University. 
C6. Pornography, Prostitution, & the Sex Industry - Feminist, Science, & 
Other Perspectives
This will be a wide-ranging discussion of many issues surrounding the 
commercial sex industry, including especially pornography (adult 
heterosexual), prostitution, free speech, censorship, trafficking, 
sex-positive, and objectification, with questions and answers.
Robert Brannon is a social psychologist who has studied the effects of 
pornography on men and is NOMAS' National Resource Person on Pornography and 
Prostitution.

12:30-2:00pm Lunch
2:00-3:00pm Conference Closing

              


Registration Form



Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone: Email:

Conference Registration:
Mail in registrations must be postmarked by July 24th.  After this date, 
please register by phone to ensure accommodations. Call the Ramapo College 
Women's Center at 201-684-7468. Walk-ins welcome. 

    Full Conference                                          $195
          Thursday, August 3rd, 7:00pm, thru Sunday, August 6th, 3:00pm 
Includes 5 meals (Fri, Sat, lunch/dinner-Sun, lunch)            
                                                                       $100 
Students/Seniors 

Single Day
_ Friday, August 4th     or   _ Saturday, August 5t                           
                        $100 
(Includes lunch and dinner)                     $ 50   Students/Seniors

_ Sunday, August 6th (Includes lunch)          $ 50
_       Students/Seniors $ 25 

On-Campus Housing (Housing Limited, Register Early!):
Two single beds, private bath per room.  All rooms air conditioned, 
non-smoking.  Must bring linens.
_ $34 per room x  ________  (number of nights)  =       $__________
_ $17 per bed x    ________  (number of nights)  =       $__________
Name of Roommate:  ______________________________________  or NOMAS 
       will assign, specify your gender _____________________.

Off-Campus Housing:  Contact Homewood Suites by Hilton Mahwah NJ, 375 
Corporate Drive Mahwah, NJ 07430.  Phone: 201 760-9994.  Toll Free: 866 
834-0552.  Conference rate is $99.00 per night. Must arrange own 
transportation to/from the airport or train station.  We'll provide 
transportation to/from campus during conference.
NOMAS Membership:  $50, (sliding scale for those with limited resources, 
$15-49) $__________
Total Amount Enclosed__________

Acknowledgement:  Registrations will be acknowledged by email or mail.
Payment:  Make checks payable to NOMAS and mail to NOMAS M&M31 c/o Ramapo 
College Women's Center, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. 
Additional Details (check all that apply):
_ I am in need of disability accommodations.  Please contact Mandolin 
Restivo, Director of the Ramapo College Women's Center at 201-684-7468.  All 
requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
_ I want to participate in the Coffee House Open Mic Friday Night (poetry, 
music, comedy, storytelling, drama, dance, etc.)
_ I do not want my name included on the list of M&M31 attendees (a list that 
will be given to conference attendees only)



Until the violence stops, Ben.  

Ben Atherton-Zeman, Acton MA USA
Actor, Comedian, Feminist and Husband
Presenting a One-Man Play: "Voices of Men," www.voicesofmen.org (video clips 
take a second to load)
Booking information: 978-263-3254

July 2006 quote: "The National Organization for Men Against Sexism is an 
activist organization of men and women supporting positive changes for men. 
NOMAS advocates a perspective that is pro-feminist, gay affirmative, 
anti-racist, dedicated to enhancing men's lives, and committed to justice on 
a broad range of social issues including class, age, religion, and physical 
abilities. We affirm that working to make this nation's ideals of equality 
substantive is the finest expression of what it means to be men."
Come to NOMAS' National Men and Masculinity Conference: August 3-6, Ramapo 
College of New Jersey: www.nomas.org