Alarming Female

Bongo*, Salt Lake City
May 2007

Awhile back I posted about a couple of my students who were a little fuzzy on the whole “feminism” concept. My friend the Knitty Professor guided me toward the National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS), a “pro-feminist, gay affirmative, anti-racist” group “dedicated to enhancing men’s lives.”

Where have these men been all my life?

Here’s a bit from their Statement of Principles–

Men can live as happier and more fulfilled human beings by challenging the old-fashioned rules of masculinity that embody the assumption of male superiority.

We applaud and support the insights and positive social changes that feminism has stimulated for both women and men. We oppose such injustices to women as economic and legal discrimination, rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and many others. Women and men can and do work together as allies to change the injustices that have so often made them see one another as enemies.

One of the strongest and deepest anxieties of most American men is their fear of homosexuality. This homophobia contributes directly to the many injustices experienced by gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, and is a debilitating restriction for heterosexual men.

The enduring injustice of racism, which like sexism has long divided humankind into unequal and isolated groups, is of particular concern to us. Racism touches all of us and remains a primary source of inequality and oppression in our society.

We also acknowledge that many people are oppressed today because of their class, age, religion and physical condition. We believe that such injustices are vitally connected to sexism, with its fundamental premise of unequal distribution of power.

They detail their tenets of being pro-feminist, gay-affirmative, anti-racist, and enhancing men’s lives on a separate page, which begins with these two stunning sentences:

Whatever psychological burden men have to overcome, women are still the most universal and direct victims of our patriarchy. Our organization must take a highly visible and energetic position in support of women’s struggle for equality.

You should read what they have to say about child custody and for whom they filed an amicus brief. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!

I can just see my new personal ad (once I’m truly divorced)–

DF ISO N/S NOMAS guy W/SOH who likes PC & GCITR*

Oh, and include my favorite Amy Sedaris line:

“I’m just not into dating white guys right now.”

*a private club for members (hahahaha. . . it’s a Utah thing)
**divorced female in search of non-smoking NOMAS guy with a sense of humor who likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain