SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
University Affairs Office
1801 E. Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609
(707) 664-2057
e-mail: jean.wasp@sonoma.edu
University Affairs Office
1801 E. Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609
(707) 664-2057
e-mail: jean.wasp@sonoma.edu
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2003
Contact: Jean Wasp, Media Relations, (707) 664-2057
Former Professional Athlete Don McPherson Explores
Masculinity in “You Throw Like a Girl” on Nov. 18
Former professional athlete Don McPherson will present “You Throw Like a Girl,” on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Cooperage at Sonoma State University.
The event is an interactive discussion that takes on the anti-female bias in American culture that makes doing something like a girl an insult. Such statements, he says, teach boys not only to “shut off their behavior and emotions of the moment, but to view girls as being ‘less than.’”
During this free event, McPherson will challenge the beliefs boys and men hold about themselves and narrow definitions of masculinity. He connects those beliefs with the anti-female attitudes, alcohol use and abuse, and homophobia that he feels damage our society and perpetuate sexism and misogyny.
His goal is for men and women to work together to prevent sexual violence so that both genders can move forward together into a more equitable and respectful future.
McPherson is the founder and executive director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University. He played professional football for seven years and has been active for more than 16 years in community, educational and social programs addressing substance abuse and violence.
For more information about this event, contact Kris Montgomery, (707) 664-2845.
The event is sponsored by SSU Athletics, the Women’s Resource Center, Student Advocates for Education (SAFE), Residential Life, Verdot Village Council, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Women’s and Gender Studies Department, Associated Students Inc., California Office of Traffic Safety, The National Collegiate Athletic Association, SSU Greek Life, the Inter-Fraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Council.