SAVE THE DATE: Men Against Sexual Violence Conference - April 25/26th

Male Ally Conference at UIC: Engaging men to end violence against women

Keynote speaker: Byron Hurt, director of "Beyond Beats and Rhymes"

Men Against Sexual Violence is proud to announce the first annual Male Ally
Conference at UIC. The Male Ally Conference is a two day event that seeks
to engage men in ending transphobia, homophobia and violence against women.
The conference will take place April 25th & 26th 2009, at UIC's Student
Center East, The Illinois Rooms, 750 S. Halsted Chicago. Parking is
available for a fee across the street at the Hasted Street Parking
structure. The event is free and open to male-identified persons.

The conference features men from all communities leading workshops on race
and masculinity, disability and masculinity, trans-masculinity, and
unlearning homophobia. During these workshops men will have the opportunity
to talk about what it means to "be a man" and how race, transgender
identity, sexual orientation, and disability intersect to change this
meaning from community to community. Men will also learn about what they
can do in their everyday lives to stop a culture of violence. The second day
of the conference takes theory to action with exercise to encourage
coalition building and networking. During day two conference participants
will also have the opportunity to share ideas for further action and
education on our campus and in their home communities. "The conference is a
unique opportunity for men to talk about something that ordinarily is a
taboo subject," said Stephen Adler, member of Men Against Sexual Violence
(MASV) and primary coordinator of the conference. "The response of
departments and other student organizations thus far confirms to us that men
want to be part of the movement to end interpersonal violence."

Byron Hurt one of the nation's most widely-known male anti-sexism activists
will give the keynote. Hurt is a former Northeastern University football
quarterback and was also a founding member of the Mentors in Violence
Prevention (MVP) program. MVP is a leader in college-based rape and
domestic violence prevention initiatives for college and professional
athletics. Hurt is also the former Associate Director of the first gender
violence prevention program in the United States Marine Corps. A long time
activist, author and film maker Hurt challenges audiences to interrogate the
damaging effects of patriarchy, racism, and sexism in American culture.

The conference is free and open to all male-identified persons. If you
require an accommodation in order to participate, please contact the Office
of Women's Affairs at (312) 413-1025 two weeks prior to the event.

If you would like more information about how to get involved or how to
attend, contact Stephen Adler at masvuic@gmail.com


Conference co-sponsors include: SAFC Student Activities Funding Committee,
African-American Cultural Center, Chancellor's Committee on the Status of
Women, Gender & Sexuality Center, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Center for
Research on Women & Gender, Interdisciplinary Center for Research on
Violence, UIC Athletics, Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity,
College of Applied Health Sciences, Young People For The American Way,
Honors College, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, Chancellor's
Committee on the Status of Asian Americans, Office of Women's Affairs,
Campus Advocacy Network, Gender and Women's Studies, Gender and Sexuality
Center, Student Outreach Services, Feminist's United, African American
Academic Network, Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services,
Disability Studies.