Publisher’s note: Normally, as unaffiliated supporters of CAFE, we publish their announcements in the news or bulletin areas of this site. Today I am posting this as a featured article because circumstances around this event demand a higher profile and more discussion, as well as the effort to have more people attend the lecture by journalist Cathy Young.
In recent days some sort of threats were allegedly made against women generally, feminists generally and specifically against the gender studies department at the University of Toronto. There is currently no information available on who allegedly made these threats and I have been informed by reliable sources that the Toronto Police have looked into the matter and have concluded that any concerns about the matter are baseless. In short, they investigated the matter and found nothing to take seriously.
My personal impression is that if the Toronto Police Department does not find cause for concern in supposed threats that were aimed at young university women, then they likely have very good reason for that position.
The facts here are still very concerning, though not about personal risks to women. Nothing about these threats were of concern to authorities. No one knows the source of said threads. It cannot even be demonstrated that they did not come from opponents to the event as a false flag. Still, there are people already at work trying to convert this mole hill into a mountain of reasons why Cathy Young should not speak; why CAFE is a “misogynist” group and why men’s advocates should have no place on college campuses in Canada.
For all this I urge people to remember that despite the great amount of progress we have made in raising awareness on men’s issues, there are still many people in positions of great influence who are determined to silence those trying to help men and boys.
If you can attend the lecture by Cathy Young, please do. Also, for those who can, please donate to CAFE for the incredible work they are doing on behalf of men and boys.
As always, if you attend, please bring the same invaluable tools you have always brought to events like this; your intellect, your knowledge and your peaceful, thoughtful reactions to those who would demonize you and cast you as a threat. Thank you. PE
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MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s Issues Group CAFE Condemns Threats Targeting Feminists and Women
Calls on U of T to Host Townhall Event Before Prominent Journalist Cathy Young Addresses “The Politics of Gender” next week
TORONTO, ONTARIO — (September 15, 2015) The Canadian Association for Equality (CAFE) and the U of T Men’s Issues Awareness Society (UTMIAS) condemn in the strongest possible language threats of violence targeting feminists and women at the University of Toronto.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with those who have been threatened,” said CAFE Executive Director Justin Trottier. “It has been our long-stated belief that intimidation against those who hold opinions with which you disagree is an attack against all of us. Each person must feel safe to express themself without fear of intimidation or harassment.”
Cathy Young, the well known journalist and “equity feminist,” will speak at the University of Toronto on Thursday, September 24th and in Ottawa on Friday, September 25th, at the event “The Politics of Gender and Victimhood,” planned weeks ago by the UTMIAS and sponsored by CAFE.
“Our events discuss suicide, fatherhood, men’s health and the need for inclusive public policies to support all victims of violence,” said Trottier. “We cannot allow intimidation to close down debate on critical gender issues. But it is the responsibility of those hosting dialogue to work to ensure the safety of all participants.”
Given recent threats, as well as the harassment by those protesting previous CAFE-sponsored event, there may be legitimate safety concerns on all sides. A safe walk service for any guest requesting it will be provided at the Cathy Young talks to and from the event to vehicles or the TTC.
CAFE has also contacted the University of Toronto administration and those groups targeted by online threats to recommend a public dialogue to discuss how we can confront intimidation that affects us all. “It is time for all those who put the well-being of people ahead of our commitment to ideology to come together and resolve this situation.”
CONTACT
Justin Trottier
Executive Director, Canadian Association for Equality
416-402-8856
jtrottier@equalitycanada.com
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And a follow up annoncement from CAFE regarding the alleged threats.
MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s Issues Group CAFE Condemns Threats Targeting Feminists and Women
Calls on U of T to Host Townhall Event Before Prominent Journalist Cathy Young Addresses “The Politics of Gender” next week
TORONTO, ONTARIO — (September 15, 2015) The Canadian Association for Equality (CAFE) and the U of T Men’s Issues Awareness Society (UTMIAS) condemn in the strongest possible language threats of violence targeting feminists and women at the University of Toronto.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with those who have been threatened,” said CAFE Executive Director Justin Trottier. “It has been our long-stated belief that intimidation against those who hold opinions with which you disagree is an attack against all of us. Each person must feel safe to express themself without fear of intimidation or harassment.”
Cathy Young, the well known journalist and “equity feminist,” will speak at the University of Toronto on Thursday, September 24th and in Ottawa on Friday, September 25th, at the event “The Politics of Gender and Victimhood,” planned weeks ago by the UTMIAS and sponsored by CAFE.
“Our events discuss suicide, fatherhood, men’s health and the need for inclusive public policies to support all victims of violence,” said Trottier. “We cannot allow intimidation to close down debate on critical gender issues. But it is the responsibility of those hosting dialogue to work to ensure the safety of all participants.”
Given recent threats, as well as the harassment by those protesting previous CAFE-sponsored event, there may be legitimate safety concerns on all sides. A safe walk service for any guest requesting it will be provided at the Cathy Young talks to and from the event to vehicles or the TTC.
CAFE has also contacted the University of Toronto administration and those groups targeted by online threats to recommend a public dialogue to discuss how we can confront intimidation that affects us all. “It is time for all those who put the well-being of people ahead of ideology to come together and resolve this situation.”
