Washington Initiative for Boys and Men
Advocating for improved outcomes for boys, men, and communities
Posts that affirm the goodness in males and/or offer them empathy:
Two organizations in Washington have hosted screenings of the timely and important documentary Gone Guys. Aiming to build on this momentum, Washington Initiative for Boys and Men is reaching out to civic leaders and community based organizations to help get more screenings planned.
Jeff Michaelis and his wife MaryAnn testified for a bill intended to require porn websites to verify that individuals accessing their site are 18 or older. Supporters and opponents of the proposal gave compelling testimonies. HB 2112 ultimately did not pass.
Seattle’s Chris Johnson outlines seven lessons we should took away from the ‘Surviving Ohio State’ documentary.
A team of people created a draft of a screening tool designed to surface issues that dads in Washington are facing that otherwise might go unsurfaced. This questionnaire, to be administered for example at a doctor appointment, is designed for men to be able to receive helpful feedback and guidance toward resources.
The legislation to create a Washington Boys & Men Commission passed the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Relations by a 5 to 2 vote on Friday, January 30. Watch the 2-minute video.
On Friday January 9, Representative April Berg (D-Mill Creek) introduced House Bill 2401 establishing the Washington boys and men commission. It garnered a total of 19 Democratic sponsors and 1 Republican sponsor, Rep. Michelle Valdez. On Tuesday January 13, Representative Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) introduced House Bill 2461 establishing the Washington commission on boys and men. It garnered a total of 18 Republican sponsors and 0 Democratic sponsors.
“In the dust of that little chair, what has become of our Little Boy Blue?” A guest contribution by Terry Oxley, retired Army officer and a past Board Director of USO Northwest and the Washington Youth Academy Foundation.