We, the undersigned, respectfully request that Google and its doodlers do something as creative and fun as possible for as many people as possible to celebrate "International Men's Day" and have it made public on 19 November 2015.

Background: International Men's Day (IMD), like so many grassroots initiatives, has a history and people who need to be acknowledged.

International Men’s Day was first celebrated by men’s rights advocate Thomas Oaster in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, in 1992.

The project was taken up and revived by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in 1999 who said:

"Nobody, including myself, has a monopoly or control of International Men’s Day. This Day belongs to the world. International Men’s Day is a gift to humanity. It is to be shared." - J. Teelucksingh (May 10, 2010)

Many foolishly state that there is no need for an international men's day as 365 days of the year are for men. This is a political claim made to negate men, and politicize Sex inequality so as to justify inverse sexism. This negative position has never been part of IMD and has been rejected.

Dr Teelucksingh wrote:

"It seems that International Men’s Day is not a fad or ﬂeeting Fashion statement which will soon diminish or end. IMD has Objectives that represent the core of this vibrant movement. There are no magic words to recite that will solve problems and IMD certainly does not have a genie to grant wishes. Thus, International Men’s Day cannot guarantee that tomorrow will reveal a problem-free society. But, we can certainly work towards that goal.

This version of IMD is unique because women such as Geneuvieve Twala of Botswana (in Africa) have promoted this day and willingly participated in IMD activities. One of the major reasons for the success of IMD is the fact that women’s groups have also embraced this day. Hopefully, girls and women across the world will soon understand that IMD will create better sons, nephews, cousins, brothers, husbands and fathers. Many women have realized that IMD is not about female-bashing and condemning feminists or womanhood.

Both International Men’s Day and International Women’s Day strengthen and empower men and women, but we must not allow women to portray men as the ‘enemy' and vice versa"

Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, Achieving peace, equality and a healthy environment, AuthorHouse, 2011, page 34, ISBN:9781463442170

DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY STATEMENT (2011)

"We (IMD) encourage every man, woman, girl and boy in the world to join us in celebrating men and boys in all their diversity on International Men’s Day (November 19th).

We recognize that there are a broad variety of laws, values and viewpoints around the world that affect different men, in different countries in different ways. There is also a diversity of opinions about those laws, values and viewpoints which are held by the many different men, women, girls and boys throughout the world.

As a day of observance we place our focus on that which unites humanity- giving everyone who wants to celebrate International Men’s Day the opportunity to help work towards our shared objectives which we apply equally to men and boys irrespective of their age, ability, social background, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religious belief and relationship status. Those objectives are:

To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives. To celebrate men’s positive contributions; to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual. To highlight discrimination against males; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law To improve gender relations and promote gender equality. To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential."

These Six Pillars have been at the heart of IMD for many years, with IMD being celebrated in many countries.

Ryan Germick, designer and illustrator for Google, said in 2014 “We don’t use handbooks or focus groups,”,"All we want to do is something as creative and fun as possible for as many people as possible.” - Guardian

The core theme for IDM 19 November 2015 is Expanding Reproductive Options for Men, addressing Better availability of birth control methods, Research into new birth-control methods, Paternity testing and Family planning through the gendered lens of how they affect men and men's human rights.

We, the undersigned, therefore respectfully request that Google and its doodlers do something as creative and fun as possible for as many people as possible to celebrate "International Men's Day" and have it made public on 19 November 2015.



