Things We Saw Today: Yes, International Men’s Day Is a Thing

Every year on International Women’s Day, the internet gets flooded with men demanding to know when International Men’s Day is. Those men have apparently never taken the time to Google the question because the answer is today, November 19th.

Happy #InternationalMensDay to the men who never ask, “Well, is there an International MEN’S DAY?!?!” on International Women’s Day

— andi zeisler (@andizeisler) November 19, 2019

The idea of a Men’s Day is complicated, since–much like the recent focus on Straight Pride Parades–a lot of the demand for one comes as a response to Women’s Day, without recognizing that International Women’s Day was born out of women’s marginalization at the hands of cis men.

It’s clear that when men demand to know about THEIR day on and only on a day dedicated to women, they don’t actually care.

So you had eight months to prep. You must have come up with something amazing. It’s today. What are you doing? https://t.co/79gjNrW4s4

— Richard K Herring (@Herring1967) November 19, 2019

So yes, many of those men are asking in bad faith and should be treated as such, if not ignored completely. What shouldn’t be ignored are the issues actual good-faith actors and organizations have put at the center of International Men’s Day–issues like mental health, toxic masculinity, making sure boys have positive male role models, and the distressingly high suicide rate among men and boys.

#InternationalMensDay
Men (& boys) can be affected by:
Depression
Anxiety
Anorexia
(C)PTSD
Bipolar
Bulimia
Psychosis
OCD
BPD
Loneliness
& suicide which is the biggest killer of men under the age of 50
Fellas, you have to speak out, there is no shame in suffering, silence can kill

— MentalHealthMillion (@MentalHealthMil) November 19, 2019

Men living in the UK:

12 men each day take their own lives;

7/10 murder victims are male;

85% of people reported to be sleeping homeless are male

95% of the prison population is male;

84% of suicides linked to the recession were men.

This is not OK.#InternationalMensDay

— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) November 19, 2019

Today is #InternationalMensDay. Yet, 31% of men said they would feel too embarrassed to seek help for a mental health problem.

Being in your friend’s corner could make a real difference to their life. So, if you notice your mate is acting differently, reach out. pic.twitter.com/Nq7Qf2T2bD

— Time to Change (@TimetoChange) November 19, 2019

Would have rolled my eyes at #InternationalMensDay in years gone by, however I now recognize that while male privilege does exist – gay, trans and men of colour do not always benefit from it, and also that men’s mental health stigma is a massive issue that need attench 💓

— holly x (@hollyshortall) November 19, 2019

Here’s why there were psychics (and psychic squids!) in Alan Moore’s Watchmen. (via Polygon)
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare gave away free Sailor Moon condoms last month. (via Geeks Are Sexy)
A record number of TV episodes were directed by women and POC this year. That record number, by the way, is half–meaning the other half were directed by white men. Happy International Men’s Day, everybody! You did it! (via Variety)
Bong Joon-ho coming in with the hot and perfect takes:

Okay, this is the only good answer. We can stop with these questions now. pic.twitter.com/fyDijlu5Ii

— Will Goss (@williambgoss) November 19, 2019
Ayanna Pressley is calling for the decriminalization of sex work. (via Vice)
Taking on white nationalism? Elizabeth Warren has a plan for that. (via ElizabethWarren.com)
Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

OH MY GOD THIS IS MY LITERAL DREAM CASTING!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/vwZimiOXkR

— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) November 19, 2019