Blair Daly, the young American behind Equality for Boys and Men, has invested a huge amount of time and effort into lobbying for the creation of a Washington State Commission on Boys and Men. Sadly it has just been rejected for this legislative year, as he explains in this piece, but he’s clear that his fight will go on. We wish him well. Extracts:

This is the second year we poured ourselves into advocating for airtime in the legislature for the struggles of our sons, dads, brothers, uncles, and grandfathers. For the second year, the powers that be said No. The chair of the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee declined to give a public hearing to House Bill 1270, which calls for the creation of a commission focused on the well-being of boys and men. And as far as we know, he has declined to offer an explanation why.

We are disappointed.

We’re also a bit surprised, given that the bill had three Democratic co-sponsors and that among them was Representative Chris Stearns (D-Covington), who is the vice chair of the committee directly below Chair Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah)…

Two female lawmakers, one Republican and one Democrat, are the lead sponsors of a bill that would bring needed attention to the areas where boys and men are struggling. The creation of a Commission on Boys and Men would bring about a measure of equity/parity for males, given that a Washington Women’s Commission has been operating for years. The prime sponsor of the bill that would establish a Commission on Boys and Men, Mary Dye, has been an active advisor to the Women’s Commission since its founding. The bill has diverse sponsorship from three Democrats and four Republicans; three men and four women.

And yet…

The male legislator who holds the position of power over the Commission on Boys and Men bill has so far refused to give it a public hearing.

Why?

Let’s invite more and more people to join us in asking that question: Why?

Representative Joe Fitzgibbon’s response, which alluded to “the segment of our society that’s been historically most advantaged,” just does not cut it when considering present-day realities.

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