INVITATION:

"Guy friends! We’re all aware of the problems with sexual violence. We also know that the perpetrators almost exclusively are men. We know that 70 percent* of the people who commit suicide are men and that men almost never reach out for help with their physical and emotional problems. We know that 67 percent of all homeless people are men and that men more often than women fall victim for addiction and drug abuse. We know that 87 percent of all assault is committed by men and that men also fall victim for 60 percent of these assaults.

We know that one in five men lacks a close friend. We know that most men work so much that that we miss out on spending time with our kids. These statistics speak for themselves and women have worked long and hard to free themselves from the negative aspects of gender norms. Isn’t it time for us to grab a dinner or a coffee and talk about how we can break free? Maybe we can get involved even if we don’t recognize ourselves in the statistics above? For the future? For others? Because what affects others by extension also affects us. Who’s in? When are we getting together? With hopeful wishes..."

*The statistics come from a Swedish context, but they’re not unique for Sweden - we see the same kind of trends all over the world.

GUYS AND MEN - IT IS TIME TO START TALKING!

WHAT IS #Guytalk?

#Guytalk is a method for starting conversations about what it’s like to be a man, based on different themes. The initiative was started by Make Equal as a reaction on a wave of sexual assaults at Swedish music festivals during the summer of 2016. The ambition with #Guytalk is to give guys and men the chance to start with themselves when working towards an equal society for all.

OKAY, HOW DO WE DO IT?

No matter if you’re gonna have a #Guytalk at home or at a restaurant, club, association or festival, we have some tips on how you or your organization can get started: Public, Private, Coworker or NGO. We also have a checklist with important things to consider before, during and after the conversation. Feel free to copy the invite above and send it to the people you want to talk to.
Do you need more help getting started? Contact us at utbildning@makeequal.se

WHAT ARE WE GONNA TO TALK ABOUT?

You decide what you want to talk about during your dinner. A good base to get the conversation started is our conversational guides:
Love Friendship Ego Avoidance Fragility Sex If your organization wants more information about #Guytalk or an introduction before you get started you can book Make Equal. Working with equality within the organization creates credibility outwards. Contact us at utbildning@makeequal.se

As a result of #metoo we created material especially for workplaces - and also material focusing on dads and a special guide created for use in schools.

co-workers #guytalk dads #guytalk young people #guytalk

SAID ABOUT #guytalk

Stop RAPES - INVITE YOUR FRIENDS FOR #Guytalk

Can dinner with your guy friends prevent rapes? Yes, as part of a greater plan, Ida Östensson, founder of Make Equal believes. After her appeal on Facebook about starting guy dinners destructive norms among men, the response has been overwhelming.
Read the full Article with Ida here (swedish)

THEY ARE ARRANGING A #Guytalk IN A CLUB ENVIRONMENT TO COMBAT HARSH JARGON

Sexual assault. Sexual harassment. Violence. The perpetrators almost exclusively men. Niclaes Wallmark and Henrik Teljfors had enough and started #Guytalk in a club environment to change the attitudes of men.

Read the full article with Niclas and Henrik here (swedish)

ERIK ARRANGED A SOUL-SEARCHING guytalk

Ida Östensson encourages men to discuss closeness, norms, peer pressure, sex and love in small groups. Erik Otterman caught on to the idea and arranged a #Guytalk.

Listen to the radio feature here (swedish)

WE GOT AN AMAZING EMAIL FROM JON WHO ARRANGED A #Guytalk AT HOME

“Most guys shook hands when we met, some hugged with a pat on the shoulder, some just said hi. But at the end of the dinner we all hugged each other - and no one finished with a firm pat on the back.”

Read the rest of the email here (swedish)

I HAVE NEVER TALKED ABOUT MASCULINITY IDEALS BEFORE

After Ida Östenssons call for men to arrange conversations with each other to discuss closeness, norms, peer pressure, sex and love initiatives have been started all over the country. Emanuel Garnheim caught on to the idea and arranged a #Guytalk.

Read the full article here (swedish)

RAPE CASES UPSETTING - WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING #Guytalk

Johan Karlgren was horrified over the rape cases that were reported to the police during the Bråvalla festival. Now he’s arranging a guytalk where participants are expected to discuss norms and gender roles.

Read article and watch article here