National Coalition for Men Successes
The following are just a few of the National Coalition For Men’s many successes…
As time permits (we are all volunteers, even those who work on this website), we will add more and update our successes, which continue.
Want to help? Click on the picture to give financially or become a member of NCFM.
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN ORGANIZES THE FIRST MENS ISSUES CONFERENCE AT ADELPHI UNIVERSITY
On 10/24/81, NCFM organized successful conference on men’s issues at Adelphi University, NY .
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NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN GETS DIAPER CHANGING TABLES IN AIRPORT MEN’S ROOMS
In 1985, NCFM helped file a lawsuit against John Hancock International Airport in New York for not having diaper-changing tables in their men’s restrooms. Working with Fathers’ Rights Association of New York, NCFM used its non-profit status to funnel the first funds to hire former NOW President Karen DeCrow as lead attorney. The lawsuit settled before trial and resulted in diaper changing tables being installed. It also facilitated and accelerated the installation of diaper changing tables in men’s restrooms across the country, if not internationally.
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN HELPS PASS PATERNITY FRAUD LEGISLATION
On 2002, NCFM helped Assemblyman Rod Wright draft a bill (AB2240) to prevent paternity fraud. It passed both houses, but Governor Gray Davis vetoed it and formed a workgroup to check the issue. NCFM members activity participated in the workgroup throughout 2003 and sponsored a new bill (SB1030) that later merged into a competing bill (AB252). In 2004, the bill passed and Family Code 7646 was enacted, which has given relief to thousands of men. We represented several paternity fraud victims including high-profile ones like in County of Los Angeles v. Taron James, which generated significant media attention to the issue. Federal Judge David Hanschen heard about NCFM’s work on paternity fraud and wrote a letter of thanks to NCFM. http://ncfm.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/100811-Letter-from-Judge-Hanschen.pdf .
And, today, in 2014, NCFM is helping Naomi Evans with paternity fraud reform efforts in Washington: http://ncfm.org/2015/11/news/paternity-news/ncfm-member-naomi-evans-third-update-on-paternity-fraud-reform-legislation-in-washington/
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN HELPS CREATE FIRST GENDER INCLUSIVE FAITH BASED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM AND OUTREACH MATERIALS
In 2005, Harry Crouch, NCFM President and NCFM member Kevin Young worked with the San Diego Domestic Violence Council Faith Based Subcommittee under the leadership of Kent Peters, Director of Catholic Social Ministries; to create the first gender-inclusive, gender-neutral, nondenominational faith-based domestic violence information, education, outreach, support, and referral program, Safe Faith Place Communities. The materials including the brochure, informational posters, informational cards, and workbook were the first of their kind to include information about abused men. The programs have reached as far west as Oklahoma and have been implemented by many faith-based organizations. Mr. Crouch is one of the programs trainers.
Cover of training handbook, the cycle of abuse, designed by NCFM President Harry Crouch for the San Diego Domestic Violence Council – Faith Based Subcommittee, Safe Faith Place Communities Program
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN GETS JUDGE DISCIPLINED FOR ANTI-MALE RULINGS
In 2006, NCFM got the Commission on Judicial Performance to discipline Judge S. Patricia Spear for the way she treated an impoverished father in County of Los Angeles v. Jesus H. In that case, the courts took a child from a drug-addicted mother, who then told the father for the first time that he had a child and that the court were about to place the child in foster care. He immediately went to declare parentage. Judge Spear refused to give him a DNA test and said, without any basis, that she does not believe he is the father. He filed a handwritten notice of appeal and went on to win a scathing appellate court that chastised Judge Spear. http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/californiastatecases/b187823.pdf NCFM-LA sent the decision to the Commission on Judicial Performance along with a Complaint, which resulted in disciplinary action. NCFM
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN MEMBERS WIN LANDMARK UNRUH ACT CIVIL RIGHTS ACT CASE
In 2007, NCFM members Marc Angelucci, Ray Blumhorst, Elton Campbell, and Jeff Kent, represented by NCFM attorney Al Rava, won a landmark California Supreme Court decision holding that men do not have to specifically ask to be treated equally in order to have a case for discrimination under the California Unruh Civil Rights Act when they are treated unequally. NCFM members sued the Century Supper Club for charging men a higher price than women are charged and for patting down only men upon entrance. The trial court and the court of appeal dismissed the lawsuit because NCFM members did not ask to be treated equally. The California Supreme Court unanimously reversed the ruling, calling it a “startling” decision and holding that people who are discriminated against are not required to ask for equal treatment before filing a lawsuit. The decision is Angelucci v. Century Supper Club. See www.metnews.com/articles/2007/ange060107.htm
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN WINS LANDMARK APPELLATE DECISION FOR BATTERED MEN
In 2008, NCFM won a landmark appellate decision in California on behalf of battered men and their children in Woods v. Horton. The decision held that held that the exclusion of male victims violates men’s rights to equal protection and “carries with it the baggage of sexual stereotypes,” because “men experience significant levels of domestic violence as victims.” Woods v. Horton (2008) 1637 Cal.App.4th 658. The lawsuit was filed by NCFM Vice President and attorney Marc Angelucci, with NCFM member Ray Blumhorst as one of the four plaintiffs, and was funded by NCFM. The decision is at http://ncfm.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Woods-v-Shewry-published-decision.pdf. It generated extensive media coverage all the way to Scotland. www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Appeals-court-decision-supports-battered-men-3189775.php
national coalition for men
Marc Angelucci and David Woods
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN GETS SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO REMOVE ANTI-MALE BIAS IN ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VIDEO
On 6/22/09, the San Diego District Attorney sent a letter to NCFM thanking them for pointing out anti-male bias in their domestic violence video, and stating they have removed the biased portions of the video. See letter at www.californiamenscenters.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/090622-ltr-from-patrick-mcgrath-re-dv-training-video.pdf
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN FORMS THE FIRST OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED MEN’S ISSUES STUDENT CHAPTER ON AT A STATE UNIVERSITY
In 2010, NCFM members Christopher Thompson and his wife Nevada successfully petitioned Montana State University in Bozeman to form a student men’s issues organization under the NCFM banner. From this effort came an initiative to form similar groups under the banner NCFM-U.
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN HELPS CREATE OFFICIAL TASK FORCE ON MALE DV VICTIMS
In 2012, NCFM helped create the first official Male Survivors’ Task Force within the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council. NCFM member Fred Sottile and Stanley Green of Men’s Health Network were two of the original founders.
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN HELPS DEFEAT CIRCUMCISION LEGISLATION IN KENYA
In 2013, NCFM Liaison in Kenya Kennedy Owino successfully blocked mandatory circumcision legislation in Siaya County, Kenya. The legislation would have required the mandatory circumcision of all males in the county, newborns to adults. http://ncfm.org/2014/02/news/mens-health/ncfm-kenya-liaison-reports-that-siaya-county-dodged-a-mandatory-circumcision-law-for-newborns-and-adult-males/
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ARRANGING THE FIRST PANEL DISCUSSION IN THE MAIN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING ABOUT CHANGING GENDER ROLES
NCFM efforts resulted in another first, an event to raise awareness about men’s issues in a federal office building setting. The event gave equal airtime to the issues both sexes face, and featured NCFM Public Relations Director Stephen Svoboda and Susan S. Gallardo, Ph.D., Women Studies Instructor/Lecturer, Santa Jose State/Stanford University. The struggles boys face in education, fatherlessness/lack of male role models, discrimination father’s face in family court and larger society were among the topics discussed. Much thanks goes to NCFM Member Jeanne Falla for her work to make this happen. http://ncfm.org/2014/07/action/ncfm-another-first-breaking-gender-stereotypes-at-home-and-at-work-panel-discussion-at-the-san-francisco-federal-building/
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN GETS CITY OF GLENDALE TO CREATE MEN’S SELF DEFENSE CLASS
In 2014, NCFM successfully got the City of Glendale to create a self-defense class for men like they had for women. NCFM initially sent the City Council a letter. They City Council scoffed at it but their legal advisers told them NCFM had legal grounds for a lawsuit. Nevertheless, the City Council grudgingly created a self-defense class for men. They hoped nobody would show up, but about 20 men showed up and the Glendale News Press not only covered it but also supported NCFM and criticized the City Council members for their un-enlightened attitude. www.glendalenewspress.com/tn-gnp-editorial-news-press-editorial-in-defense-of-the-male-only-class-20140620,0,7456457.story
NCFM – we help make the world a better place for all of us, not just men, and not just women.
NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN successes are many – above is a small sampling.
Join NCFM and you can be a part of our success too.
NCFM FIRST WIN AS A CIVIL RIGHTS LAW FIRM: COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO V. M.V.
In 2018, NCFM successfully represented paternity fraud victim Marcos Valdez pro bono in a San Diego appellate case (County of San Diego v. M.V.). This was NCFM’s first case as a law firm. The mother got the County to go after Marcos for $85,000 in arrears that accrued over a 15-year period after a DNA test excluded him as the father and the mother told him she would remove him from the case. By this time Marcos had a wife and 3 kids of his own to support. This would have devastated him. With NCFM’s representation, the Court of Appeal its the court’s equitable powers to refuse to uphold arrears, finding the mother had “unclean hands” due to her false statements to the court. The decision is at http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/D072309.PDF. Marcos gave permission to use this photo of his current family and his public thank you to NCFM: “My name is M. V. I’ve been dealing with a family law case- County of San Diego vs. M.V since 2013 that actually started in 2001 . This case was a very complicated case with unique circumstances. The mother of the child (which I am not the biological father , that 2 DNA test proved) filed for an assessment of arrears in 2016. The court granted her this but gave me a chance to file my own motion cause I let the court know she closed the case in 2001 and had garnishments stop and the county did as she wished. In 2017 the trial court ruled in my favor and stopped any collection of arrears. Which would have been over $83,000. The other party appealed. My Attorney at that time did not practice in appeals nor could I afford it even if he did. So he suggested I go speak with Harry Crouch at NCFM. So I did and he told he would review the case and let his attorney review it. About a week went by and the NCFM called me and said they would take on the case pro bono. Marc Angelucci was the attorney who would work on the case. NCFM has been such a Blessing to my family very helpful, honest, and professional. I’m very happy to say on January 8,2019 Marc Angelucci called me to say all three appeals court judges ruled in our favor and the trail courts decision was upheld! I pray the NCFM will be able to continue to help people like me in these very stressful situations.
Very Thankful!”
On February 22, 2019, the NCFM Legal Center won a landmark federal case holding that the discrimination against men in the Selective Service System is unconstitutional. This case wound through the courts for years as the Selective Service fought us with multiple motions to dismiss and other efforts to delay or dismiss the case. The case is NCFM v. Selective Service. The plaintiffs were NCFM and two men of draft age – James Lesmeister of Texas and Anthony Davis of California. After the federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed the case, we successfully overturned the decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. Then the judge in Los Angeles transferred the case to Houston Texas, where James Lesmeister resided. The Judge in Houston ultimately granted NCFM’s Motion For Summary Judgement. NCFM is very pleased with the result and is grateful to all who were involved. This was a team effort. NCFM takes no position on whether there should be a Selective Service or whether women should be in combat. NCFM’s only position is that the discrimination against men in the Selective Service should end, and that the draft can be for non-combat roles.
The decision is here and our news release is here: https://ncfm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/190224-SELECTIVE-SERVICE-DECISION-full.pdf
