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University of Sydney men’s society first group to be blocked in over ten years

By 72 Comments

Late last month the University of Sydney Student Union blocked the establishment of a new student group named The Brotherhood, Recreation and Outreach Society (BROSoc), whose focus was to provide a safe space for men on campus and address mental health issues specific to men. Subsequently, the Clubs and Societies (C&S) program, an administrative agency at the university, approved BROSoc’s formation and granted them probationary status as a society. However, at its monthly meeting, the Student Union Board voted against allowing BROSoc to formally join the C&S program, with many directors voicing concerns regarding its “narrow focus on traditional masculinity.”

It was the first time in over 10 years that the Student Union Board had blocked the establishment of a new student group.

The BROSoc had intended to set up a Men’s Shed on campus, linking it to the popular not-for-profit mental health program Men’s Sheds for men and boys that has been broadly successful since it was founded in 2007.

Queer Portfolio holder and USU Board Director Liam Carrigan argued that allowing the formation of BROSoc could cause “significant damage” to the queer community, especially among trans and genderqueer members.

Kate Bullen, Women’s Portfolio holder and Board Director, took a similar line, stating that BROSoc was “clearly not about breaking down gender roles” and would be potentially exclusionary toward women.

Board Director Liv Ronan expressed discomfort at potentially voting down BROSoc’s application, saying that the founders seemed “well-intentioned” and that she felt it was inappropriate to predict that they would automatically create an exclusive and unfriendly space.

Board Director Kate Denton, the only dissenting member, argued that the board was wrongly characterizing BROSoc as a “men’s rights club” rather than seeing it as an opportunity to meaningfully engage men on campus and help them with mental health problems.

The board instead passed a supplementary motion empowering Honorary Secretary Eve Radunz to consult with BROSoc’s founders in view of them redrafting their constitution and refining their aims to be explicitly non-exclusionary.

There is no reported indication as to what the board meant by “non-exclusionary.”

Sources:

http://honisoit.com/2014/09/board-blocks-brosoc/

http://www.altmedia.net.au/sydney-university-board-blocks-mens-society/98435

About Robert O'Hara

Bob O'Hara is the U.S. News Director for A Voice for Men. He is a men's rights activist living in the Washington, D. C. area who has done work with S.A.V.E. and is the host of a weekly radio show with news and analysis on men's and boys' issues.

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  • Bombay

    “Board Director Kate Denton, the only dissenting member, argued that the
    Board was wrongly characterizing BROSoc as a “men’s rights club” rather
    than seeing it as an opportunity to meaningfully engage men on campus
    and help them with mental health problems.”

    A men’s rights club would address so many more of men’s issues including men’s mental health problems. It seems that the University of Sydney is a hostile environment for men.

    (Should not the title be Sydney not Syndey?)

    • Correctrix

      Yes, it’s interesting that you specifically have to deny being for men’s rights these days. There is not even an argument about whether a men’s right’s group would be OK: the premise is that one would be utterly unacceptable, and the discussion is about whether the group is one or not.

      Imagine if a campus women’s group had to fight any suggestion they are feminist before they were allowed to begin to operate.

  • Ryan

    That is some real bullshit, and really quite upsetting. Theres a discussion on mens groups on campus at my school in a little over a month, and i might have to go FTSU

    • Frodo

      Hey keep us posted?

      • Ryan

        will do, if anything comes of it(i.e if it isnt cancelled for nebulous “reasons”)

    • klaatu

      Ryan remember that your actions may reflect on the MRA movement! So keep it between the ditches.

      • Ryan

        oh, of course. i wouldnt do anything stupid, just toss some big ol’ fact bricks at em

        • klaatu

          You sound like the measured type. Logic usually suffices to shut down feminists relying on arguments backed by no logic. But I would be remiss in my duties to not at least remind you to think before you act

          • Michael Zacharias Jr.

            “We must not only win, we must win with honor. To win with dishonesty or underhandedness is a defeat more swift and sure than a sword.”

    • disqus_ArQv6e31it

      I wonder if the feminists will break it up.

      A coupe of examples

      What’s really interesting is that in this one, the woman says she is there because of her women’s studies class. They are obviously teaching misandrist ideology in those classes


      As well, there were bomb threats called in on a men’s conference in Detroit this spring.

      Yup, feminists sure believe in equality for women AND men!

      • Shamednomore

        Thanks for posting the clip, I have not scene this before.

  • Even if it was a “Men’s Club,” so what? Why can’t a Men’s club exist? There’s Korean club, a Chinese Club, a Jewish club, various Christian clubs at Sydney university, as well as a bunch of Women’s only things. But the male cohort is prohibited, exactly as if we are slaves without the freedom to associate lest we get uppity. Feminism is the only taxpayer-funded hate movement in the first world.

    • Andrew Ulrich

      I was just thinking the same thing. Even if the group had a “narrow focus on traditional masculinity”…. So, The, Fuck. What?!?

      It really shows how hate filled these people are that masculinity is so demonized men can’t even gather together in an official capacity.

      • disqus_ArQv6e31it

        Yes but Andrew, you don’t understand. Women groups NEVER have a narrow focus on femininity – sarcasm of course 🙂

        Feminists are the biggest hypocrites that ever lived.

    • Shamednomore

      Hey Steve, Its a little off topic, but I have just been made aware of an issue with the Royal Military College located in your home town. Apparently the RMC hired a feminist to give a presentation to 900 students (overwhelming male) and then went online calling the young students all a bunch of potential rapist. Apparently the school is taking legal action against her.

      Have you heard about this issue?

      • I have not heard of this. Do you have a link?

        • Shamednomore

          No I do not and it would appear the media is not active on this. I was just made aware through my daughter who’s boyfriend is attending the college (he’s home for the weekend) Apparently she gave a presentation about a week ago, on a Saturday from what I have been told. Her name is Julia Lalonde and the controversy was a result of posts she made on her twitter account after the presentation.

          Its all third hand information that is why I wanted to know if you heard anything. Apparently she shook RMC up a little…they have changed some internal rules to afford women better protection against rape ie women can lock their dorm rooms at night now, but men are still required to keep their doors open.

          • michaelmobius1

            It could have to do with the bad experiences she’s had with men. Sorry pre-pubescent boys. Apparently she was attacked when she was a sixteen year old babysitting two brothers aged 9 & 5 respectively. Just imagine McCauley Culkin from Home Alone, but as a predatory sex criminal and it will all make sense

            http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/it-happened-to-me-i-was-sexually-assaulted-by-two-boys-i-was-babysitting

          • Shamednomore

            Ha ha. Thanks for the link…it goes to show Julie S. Lalonde is the biggest and most evil feminist yet…and a pathetic babysitter to bout. What a looser.

            Well I don’t think the military will be paying for her services anymore, after how she treated the students at RMC. What really is concerning though, she gives presentations to grades 6 and 8. That creeps me out. Perhaps MHRAs should be going into schools to give presentations, better yet, stop feminists from going into our school systems.

          • michaelmobius1

            “stop feminists from going into our school systems”

            I’m afraid increasingly they are our school systems.

            Still it must be terrifying for them – working with all those rapey 5-9 year old boys.

          • Shamednomore

            “I’m afraid increasingly they are our school systems.”

            Well I guess we MHRAs need to go in the schools and give our talks.

          • michaelmobius1

            Need more men in schools, male teachers, mentors, everything but the manginas in there at the moment

          • Shamednomore

            Yup, we need to get men back in the schools… and put cool back in school!

      • Attila_L_Vinczer

        Not the least bit surprised by this. Reminds me of our venture witnessing Jaclyn Friedman tolling a bunch of young men and women, that they should fear any male who could potentially rape them.

    • Hork Supreme

      If it’s a men’s or white’s club it’s a supremacist club.

      • j640

        Last time I checked this site is called “Avoiceformen” for all men, not “avoiceforwhitemen” maybe stormfront is where you need to go.

        • Astrokid

          He’s just being sarcastic.

          • driversuz

            We really need a sarcasm font…

          • Daniel Freeman

            I know at least one popular webcomic where all caps is used for sarcasm. I know that normally it look/sounds like shouting, but your eyes’ ears get retrained pretty quickly.

          • GeorgeOlduvai

            That’s what “/s” is for.

          • Hork Supreme

            I don’t speak internet that well.

          • Hork Supreme

            I’m describing what they think, maybe a little sarcastic.

    • Remember? Feminism can often be restated as ” you can’t but we can”. It is what they believe is fair and equal. It happens with EVERYTHING… from this to DV…from affirmative action to them having a choice of “professsional” attire. They claim that history was a conspiracy against women but once they obtained power THEY are the only ones to mastermind and engineer how they want society to purposefully be. The proof is all around us! It all reflects their lack of objectivity and that they let their feelings dominate them…and us…since weakened men are letting them.

      Unless we come to grips with “feministic” female feelings being the center of all this destructive change and chaos, we are missing the boat. In a broad sense as well as in a focused sense, feminism = female-ism= feelings-ism. Refuse to believe this and pay the price. Patterns in the adversary’s behavior and outcomes are essential if we are to ever understand them…and understanding them is the first step to defeating them. We can’t win if we do not understand.

  • Javier Stoltz

    Kate Bullen, Women’s Portfolio holder and Board Director, took a similar
    line, stating that BROSoc was “clearly not about breaking down gender
    roles”, and would be potentially exclusionary towards women.

    Yet, looking at the list of clubs/societies (http://www.usu.edu.au/Clubs-Societies/Our-clubs-societies.aspx), I can see several that could be exclusionary to certain groups. For example, “WOMEN in Engineering”.

    • Shamednomore

      “clearly not about breaking down gender
      roles”

      Firstly, is it a mandatory requirement for campus groups to have an agenda to break down gender roles? Secondly, a men’s club could and probably would at some point take a close examination of male gender roles and how they affect men. So this excuse has no relevance.

      • DaBluesMan

        the lack of requirement is clearly evidenced by the women’s groups

  • Andrejovich Dietrich

    Only women’s groups can be exclusionary. Feminism keeps ranting repeatedly to us how they are for equal rights for both genders. I am guessing they haven’t figured out what equality means yet. Too busy spouting a one sided message with no obligation to actually put our money where their mouth is.

    • Andrew Ulrich

      Feminism is for everybody! ….except if you disagree with them, or want to do anything positive for men, or if you’re a man.

  • Zane

    Do they have to be officially registered to assemble? Is there anything stopping these men from forming their own “unofficial” club?

    • Daniel Freeman

      Internationally, there are typically several benefits for student groups, such as funds for refreshments, a listing with the office of student life, and being able to schedule venues for events (such as guest speakers). Schools generally favor the formation of clubs for simultaneous community enrichment and individual development of leadership skills, so it is quite remarkable for those standard privileges to be denied.

  • Yet further evidence if “Institutional Misandry“.

    They are so ignorant, they fail to grasp how ignorant they are! The very definition of Bigot!

  • Junky

    This is just a way for them to place “terms and conditions” on the mens group forever monitoring them and their motives, forever threatening them to revoke their charter, forever in their pocket only ever given “revocable power”and only ever “allowed” to be on campus at the feminist whim…..

  • TPH

    This situation is exactly why men need to speak up and assert their rights. Further proof that universities and colleges only tolerate men because they have money.

  • Zimba Zumba

    So basically if you don’t hold our world view you can’t form a club. Simply marvelous.

    • disqus_ArQv6e31it

      That is Feminism 101!

  • Andybob

    Note the LGBT representative’s predictable stance – if genuflecting can be described as a stance. Sydney University’s professional ‘queer, Liam Carrigan, got to bow to his feminist keepers, secure his job and express his anti-straight male bigotry all in one afternoon. He must be feeling very pleased with himself.

    I posted this response to the linked article:

    “”Queer Portfolio holder and USU Board Director Liam Carrigan argued that allowing the formation of BROSoc could cause “significant damage” to the queer community, especially amongst trans and genderqueer members.”

    What “significant damage” could there possibly be to the queer community for allowing the formation of
    BROSoc to address the rights and welfare of men and boys? It sounds like Liam Carrigan has taken the path of least resistence by marching in lock-step formation behind the radical feminist lesbians who have imposed their anti-male agenda onto LGBT organizations, and will brook no challenge to their control of the narrative regarding gender issues.

    The Men’s Human Rights Movement (MHRM) is a diverse group of men and women, including gay men like me, who believe that men’s rights – all men, regardless of their sexual orientation or
    identities – are human rights that deserve to be addressed honestly and ethically. It has nothing whatsoever to do with diminishing the rights of others, and condemns those who attempt to use it as a platform for promoting bigotry or violence against anyone.

    It is deeply revealing that Mr Carrigan does not expand on what “significant damage” he expects to be done to the queer community, or any other community for that matter. The only damage it could do would be to those feminists who are terrified that any challenge to their hate-mongering ideology would reveal the erroneous assumptions – not to mention, dishonesty and bigotry – upon which it is based.

    It is disappointing, and predictable, that Liam Carrigan has chosen to use his position to support and
    protect his feminist boss ladies from long-overdue scrutiny. Get a clue and a spine, Mr Carringan. Feminists are not friends of the male gay community. You have assisted them in shutting down an organization that is trying to address issues which affect males – and that, whether you realize it or not, includes gay men like you and me.

    Liam Carrigan, you have betrayed yourself, gay men, trans and genderqueer men, indeed, all men, and the women who love them, everywhere. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I hope your feminist mistresses at least gave you a tummy rub for your trouble.”

    • Andy, why don’t you send this to him directly. It might make him think.

      Or it might not 🙁

      • Andybob

        Isaac T. Quill posted a video of Liam Carrigan’s 48-minute portfolio interview in the comments section of the linked article. Mr Carrigan comes across as a boring little twerp who undoubtedly takes his orders from his feminist boss ladies. They probably monitor everything he’s allowed to read.

        • Well, I found it fascinating that through out the video Liam Carrigan kept reversing his own position and lacked and consistency – it was less flip-flop and more headless chicken of steroids with a speed enema. He was most determined for students to have control, and was very worried about adult supervision from Union Managers – the one’s paid for their expertise to baby sit elected and un-indemnified Union Officers like Mr Carrigan – and Liam also objected to basic business oversight to comply with laws and to prevent legal prosecution, loss of assets and revenues ….

          I think that using “Twerp” is to give too much credibility – he lacks the basic grasp of reality needed to have that level of qualification. I would also not use the adjective “little” in an ironic way, as he is likely to miss the irony and see it as complimentary.

    • GeorgeOlduvai

      “What “significant damage” could there possibly be to the queer community for allowing the formation of BROSoc to address the rights and welfare of men and boys?”

      My first thought. Oddly, probably Liam’s last…

  • Imdefender Mra

    These guys are not even MRA’s there pro feminist…
    there still blocked ant they

    • Exactly. The founders may be getting their first experience of real feminism. Perhaps it will make them reconsider their position towards feminism.

    • Junky

      thats the real gist of this story tho isnt it?
      they are boarding up the path that would lead to a mens rights space on campus before there ever is one,,
      think of it this way, right now this is news but when the “real” mens rights activists apply they will be easily blocked because theres already a precedent being set with this group.
      notice that they are NOT fighting this with logic and common sense? notice that they did NOT mention the womens only groups on campus or demand to speak at the vote? notice that 2 men left before the vote on a male space took place?

      this is just a show for the public to see while they are pre-emptivly blocking an actual mens group from forming on campus

  • MrSonicAdvance

    Sounds to me like the guys need to boycott the other clubs. Vote with your feet and wallet.

    • Daniel Freeman

      Unfortunately, if it’s anything like here — and universities compete for students internationally, so they tend to all offer the same perqs — they probably collect a mandatory fee from all students, that is then distributed by student government and/or an office of student life. However, they could set up as an off-campus group, and start letting the surrounding community know that the school is a hostile environment for men.

    • PaulMurrayCbr

      Sadly, Student Union dues are mandatory.

    • The feminists are hoarding the common funds. The money is paid by all students and the feminist gatekeepers are funnelling only towards feminist sanctioned groups. This needs to be fought head on. The same happens in university, government, international affairs and elsewhere. It is how the evil empire, as Erin Pizzey calls it, has grown and thrives.

  • Maurice Adelmon

    Love the line “I’m against banning it because we can’t be SURE its a MEN’s rights club” just various flavors of the same crap.

  • It was noted at the link below that the two male directors left before the vote was made. Isn’t that odd. Did both of them have to be somewhere else urgently and so couldn’t remain for the vote on BroSoc? Or did they leave for another reason?

    http://www.altmedia.net.au/sydney-university-board-blocks-mens-society/98435

    • Crash

      yes that was some A-grade cowardice on display right there. Those two guys wanted to be directors and as soon as they had to take a stand on something they ran away and hid.

  • sledgehammerfred

    Why block the club? So long as it let any man in who wanted in, to include transmen, then what is the issue?

    • disqus_ArQv6e31it

      The issue is feminist misandrist ideology! They hate men and this is just putting that hatred into action.

  • Attila_L_Vinczer

    “narrow focus on traditional masculinity.” What is wrong with people who officiate within our tax paid education systems and schools? You block a safe place for men to meet and discuss issues affecting men? Why? No wonder we have 8 men to two women commtting each day in Canada. Not sure what the stats are in Australia, but it cant be much different.

    I want that safe space for men, re-established forthwith. When I get home later tonight, I will be calling this pathetic place, they call a school and demand answers and compliance to a basic fundamental right, to meet. I am amazed that in 2014 we even need to go down this road and argue that a group of people, in this case men, should have the fundamental right to form place to congregate.

  • Myopia

    Sooner or later people will realize they do not need anyone’s permission to form a club.

  • Alistair Kerr

    How did the Men’s Portfolio board member vote? /s

  • Sunny Foxes

    http://www.usu.edu.au/Get-Involved/wom-n-of-the-usu.aspx

    I think you forgot to mention “Wom*n of the USU.” Sydney University Wom*n’s Union (SUWU) That has a “Wom*n’s Room” on campus and everything….. feminist-y….

    Where’s the Sydney University Men’s Union?

    The SUWU has events too. like these:

    http://usu.edu.au/Festivals-Events/Festivals/Verge-Festival/Events-8-13-Oct.aspx#bold badge

    “Bold Badge Making Afternoon
    Mon 13th Oct, 12pm – 3pm
    Holme Reading Room
    Be bold and join us for an afternoon of making feminist badges as part of the Verge Festival. Everyone is welcome to unleash their creative side and make badges with us to support wom*n’s interests in the USU.”

    and

    “Wom*ns Art and Performance Exhibition
    Mon 13th Oct, 6:30pm-10pm
    Hermann’s Bar
    Wom*n of the USU present an evening of performance and visual artworks by artists who are wom*n identified or have lived experience as a wom*n. Come along to support wom*n artists, feed your desire to see great art and feed yourself with pizza and our bar tab!”

    I wonder why men can’t have a club/union, if women have a club/union?

    I would suggest to the male SU students that they should attempt to create a “Sydney University M@!n’s Union” using the opposite gender language of the SUWU’s constitution, rules etc. and create a M@!n’s Room, etc.

    Make it as public as possible, promote it on campus with flyer’s, facebook, twitter, etc.

    Do it again and again each year. http://www.usu.edu.au/Clubs-Societies/Start-a-club.aspx

    Until the club/union is approved. Use a motto like. “SU wom*n have had it for a 100 years. Now M@!n can too, for equality.” This will point out the double-standard if they reject the SU m@!n’s union.

    “Fortune favours the bold (and persistent).”

  • Avatar

    Could you please someone explain to me ,why aren’t Men rioting on the streets in the West ? Why ?

  • numbCruncher

    This is just another sign that the feminists are absolutely shitting themselves about the MHRM.

    They know that the moment we find a loud enough voice, their arguments will blow away like dust.

  • androsje

    I bet I could start a “KKK for women, transgenders and mexicans” and it would have an official approval just because it includes “minorities”

  • axia777

    I say that somehow the young men at this University rent a building right next to the campus. Set up the BROsoc club house right there. That would really chap the Rad Fems hides. If they took donations to get this done I would give money.

    What could anyone do? Live the Libertarian mindset young men!!!! They told you NO, but I say do it anyways! F*CK EM!!!!

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