A men's support and advice group that stirred controversy at an ACT university will hold its first fundraiser next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Australian National University student Sebastian Rossi started the Men's Network Facebook page last year to provide a dedicated space for the discussion of men's issues.
The group became an affiliated club of the ANU Student Association in April after an initial backlash against the cause. Mr Rossi said there was a misunderstanding about the purpose of the network after he mistakenly mentioned the long-term goal of a dedicated men's department.
"People were worried it was a kind of advocacy (group) filled with spiteful men thinking 'women have their department, why can't we have ours' type thing," he said.
"I think it would diminish the purpose and functionality of the group if we were going to become a department so we have no plans to do that at all. It is mostly rumours."
The Men's Network has about 500 members online, up to 40 per cent of whom are women, Mr Rossi said.
He said he saw the group as working in partnership with dedicated women's societies and described his members as feminist allies.
Misogynist comments made in the group were treated as a learning experience and usually corrected, he said.
"It's a space for ... everyone to discuss issues - societal, cultural, toxic masculinity, stereotypes, all that kind of stuff.
"It also goes into relationships, advice and personal issues, mental health, stuff like that."
Mr Rossi said it was unlikely the group would campaign for a male-only room at the ANU as previous attempts had shown little demand.
"We're not going to exactly push for that if there's no demand for it, but who knows, maybe in the future," he said.
The Men's Network's August 10 Menslink fundraiser will represent its first foray into the world outside ANU.
Representatives from Menslink and ANU residential college John XXIII will appear at the joint Men's Network and ANU Circle for Gender Equity event, which will run from 7pm at King O'Malley's in Civic.
Menslink chief executive Martin Fisk said gender-specific support and advice groups could help a person's mental health.
"Support groups for men, support groups for women, support groups for transgender or nonbinary people, [it's] really important," he said.
"When we see young men go through tough times and bottle things up, they can tend to really damage themselves.
"Suicide is the leading cause of death among young men under 35. Or, they go out and damage other people, which is equally bad."
Lifeline 13 11 14
