The California Men’s Gathering is a thrice-annual event for men. Our purpose is Men Mentoring
Men to Be Men. We offer active-participation workshops, seminars, and Community Gatherings, held over
a three or four-day weekend. All of the CMGs are held in developed campgrounds near urban areas,
in California.
Over the years, the CMG has made the transition from being a politically-focused organization for
pro-feminist men, to being an educational organization which empowers personal, spiritual, and interpersonal
growth for men. Today, the CMG attracts mostly gay male attendees, but all men are welcome to the Gatherings.
The CMG is a non-profit charitable educational organization (Section 501(c)(3)). The CMG is entirely
planned, nurtured, and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers. Most of the workshop leaders,
and others who help in the background, are also volunteers.
This essay is the first step in providing the history of the CMG. This is an ongoing mission, called
the CMG History Project. Please contact us, if you were an attendee of an early CMG—the Archive
seeks brochures, program booklets, logos, or other artifacts for the first four CMGs. We welcome
your comments about this essay, and any personal reflections you might have about any of the first
60 CMGs.
History Of The CMG
The California Men’s Gatherings began with a small group of men, most of whom were heterosexual,
who were exploring their own definitions of “masculinity.” The Pro-feminist Men’s
Movement of the late 1970’s became the focus of the early Gatherings. A typical early CMG was
held at a State Park Group Campground. Using the rustic location as a backdrop to the event, workshops,
which introduced many of the Pro-Feminist causes, were held.
The first 9 CMGs were annual events. We started holding two Gatherings per year in 1987. A
third CMG per year was added in 1999.
1978
Columbus Day Weekend, Aptos, California (Aptos State Beach, outside of Santa Cruz, California),
the First California Men’s Gathering was held. This occurred at a group campground in the
State Park. According to witnesses, about 30 men attended this loosely-organized Gathering. Women
were invited to attend, to support the men at this Gathering.
Following this Gathering, the next two Gatherings, in 1979 and 1980, were held at unknown locations.
Some think it may have been held at a college campus, for both years, but other sources said there
was a Gathering at another State Park, in or near the Santa Cruz Mountains. There is very little information,
about the actual Gathering location, date, and theme, of the second and third CMGs.
Around the time of the first CMGs, a national men’s organization, NOMAS (National Organization
for Men Against Sexism), was founded. Many of the early CMG themes reflected this cooperative effort
to organize and educate male feminists. Several CMG founders and early attendees, also attended NOMAS
functions. Among these men are Michael Messner, Gordon Clay, Tom Mossmiller, and Alan Acasia.
The fourth CMG, held in 1981, over Labor Day, was the first Southern California Gathering, held at
an unknown location, in Malibu, California. Women, men, and children were invited to attend.
The 5th CMG was held Columbus Day Weekend, in 1982. Up to this point, the Gatherings were held in
State Parks. This was the first Gathering to be held in a private campground, a YMCA camp called “Pilgrim
Pines,” near Santa Cruz, California. Nearly 100 men, women, and children attended. Al-Binky Hoch,
a CMG Elder, attended this CMG—his first Gathering. Al-Binky notes that the workshops were moreso
oriented towards male bonding and having healthy, non-oppressive relationships with women. Though most
of the men at this Gathering identified as “straight,” there was an emerging presence of
gay and bisexual men at the later Gatherings, from 1984 through 1989.
Later Gatherings in the 1980’s
1985
The 8th CMG was held in mid-September. This was the first CMG held at Camp Swig, near Saratoga,
California. The camp’s larger capacity was a blessing, and for the first time, nearly 400 men
gathered. Like the previous Gatherings, women and children were present at this Gathering. Camp Swig
became the Northern CA CMG “home,” through 1996.
1986
During the Labor Day Weekend, the 9th CMG “officially” acknowledges its gay attendees
and planners. Although gay men were welcome to attend CMGs, and homophobia was on the list of “oppressive
behaviors” by men, this Gathering offered workshops related to being male and gay. One workshop, “Releasing
Your Inner Faerie,” is noted in the 9th CMG program booklet.
The 9th Gathering was the only one where the Planners attempted to continue the “flow” of
one Gathering, to the next Gathering. This was an attempt to “capture the CMG energy” of
one Gathering, contain it in-between the Gatherings, and then repeat or continue similar workshops
at the next Gathering. Apparently, this idea of holding a “continuous” CMG didn’t
work out.
Those who attended both the 9th and the 10th CMGs noted that there were
some similarities at both, but many of the planners, the workshop leaders, and others, who conducted
the Fall, 1986 CMG, were not present for the Spring, 1987 CMG. From this point onward, it was
acknowledged that each CMG would be unique from all of the previous Gatherings, inherently, due to
the changing volunteer energy, and explicitly, for challenging men to “rethink” about their
masculinity and the “role” of
being male (CMG Plenary, Spring 1987).
The first Spring CMG was held in 1987, at Camp Swig. From 1987 through 1998, two Gatherings were
held annually. The two 1987 CMGs were held in Northern California, but the next year (1988),
the fall Gathering was held in the San Bernardino Mountains, near Los Angeles. With the exception of
1990, all CMGs held in-between 1987 and 1999 were held in both Southern CA and Northern CA,
annually.
1988
Columbus Day Weekend (10th Anniversary), Big Bear Lake: First Fall Gathering held in S.
California. More gay-related workshops were held. The theme “Building Bridges” was adopted. This Gathering
encouraged an open dialogue between the hetero and homosexual attendees, and welcomed the emerging
Radical Faerie presence.
1989
Camp Shalom , Labor Day Weekend, The 15th CMG was the first one the author attended. It was the
first time the CMG was held at Camp Shalom, in the Santa Monica Mountains, near Malibu. A turning point
in many ways occurred during this Gathering.
At the Plenary, it was decided to invite women at every third CMG from this point onward, but minors
were still welcome, at the all-men’s Gatherings, if they were accompanied by their father or
other male legal guardian.
It was also acknowledged that about 40 percent of the male attendees identified as “gay,” and
about 50 percent were “straight.” The remaining men didn’t identify their sexual
orientation. At this Gathering, 20 women, and 10 minors were present. This was the first “clothing
optional” CMG—one area at the camp was so designated.
The ’90s: Growing Pains and Maturity
1990
Both Gatherings were held in the North. San Francisco men planned the Spring Gathering, while Sacramento
men hosted the Fall Gathering. This was the first time men in Sacramento planned a CMG. The Sacramento
planners tried (but failed) to secure a camp near Yosemite; hence, both Gatherings were held at Camp
Swig. At the 17th CMG Plenary, it was resolved that the Spring Gatherings are held in the South, and
the Summer or Fall Gatherings are held in the North.
1991
At the 18th CMG, themed “Dance of Manhood,” was the first Spring CMG held
in S. California, at Camp Shalom. This camp has been our “spring home” from 1991
to the present. The survey
for the 18th Gathering indicated that 50% of the men were “gay or bisexual.” There
were 10% who didn’t identify, and 40% said they were “straight.” There were
women present at this Gathering; many were wives of the men present.
During Labor Day Weekend, 1991, the19th CMG, at Camp Swig, presented a CMG with the most
controversial theme, “Confronting Racism.” Many men felt overwhelmed by the process
of learning about racial discrimination. The opening ceremony was highly politically-charged. Many
men, who sought comfort and support at the CMG, instead felt invalidated. Some left the camp,
due to the controversial theme, and its reverse-discrimination overtones. Nonetheless, this Gathering
attracted many “men of
color,” some of whom attended forthcoming Gatherings.
1993
23rd CMG, Camp Swig: “Stark Raving Men” invited men to explore their sexuality, in an
all-male environment--which may have prompted a few of the “straight” men to leave the
camp. “Dr. Woof” (Jerry Zientara), a noted sex therapist, who also was one of the Planners,
led two group sex workshops, “Ceremony of the Wands,” and “Ceremony of the Horns.”
1994
The CMG incorporated, as an Educational Non-Profit Public Benefit Charitable Corporation (section
501(c)(3)). The first January Business Meeting (“Members” meeting)
was held at Camp Shalom. Many of its attendees recall it as the “Earthquake Gathering,” since
the Northridge Earthquake (nearly 7.8 on the Richter Scale), woke up the entire camp, broke the water
service pipes, and shut down the gas and electric service at the camp. The meeting ended early,
so that those who dared drive, could get fellow attendees to airports and also back to their respective
communities, safely. The day
before, the Members approved the first set of CMG ByLaws, and also the Operating Procedures of the
CMG.
1994, 25th CMG, “Community of the Heart,” Camp Swig: Arguably the costliest
CMG to date, the talent show included professional paid musicians, and had other “frills,” not
to be found in later Gatherings. This was a turning-point Gathering. Many of the “straight” men
found themselves less attracted to the CMG. One offered a response that the original purpose
of the CMG was for the attendees to become “male feminists.” According to some, the “feminist
movement, and its male-counterpart movement, had become less of a major political issue, since women
were gaining acceptance and equal rights, in the workplace and politically.”
1995
January Business Meeting, Sacramento: Concern was felt that the CMG had become a “gay male
organization.” Participation and interest by heterosexual men had dropped, and our attendance
figures showed that more than 75% of the attendees now identified as “gay or bisexual.” At
this meeting, it was decided to not allow minors at the CMG, but women could be invited to the CMG.
Other changes to the infrastructure of the CMG were also discussed.
1995
At the 27th CMG, Camp Swig, themed “Men Loving the Earth:” Author Sam Keen,
one of the original leaders of the “Mytho-poetic Men’s Movement,” led the Opening
Ceremony. Though his ceremony was well received, and inspired many men, others felt that the
CMG worked better as a “fully volunteer” organization, and paying celebrities to lead the
Community Gatherings violated the traditions of the earlier CMGs.
1996
This was a “banner year” for changes, at both the administrative level, and in the Gatherings.
At the 1996 January Business Meeting, held at Camp Shalom, it was determined that the CMG had become
a “gay-oriented” organization, though all men would be welcome to attend. Workshops,
Community Gatherings, and forums held during a CMG would address the pressing issues related to being
gay, and male. The original statement of purpose remained, though the targeted community of men
changed, from “straight” to “gay.” An
effort to bring in men from minority communities would begin, beginning with the 29th CMG. The
first CMG Newsletter was printed, in time for the Summer Gathering, and was mailed to all on the mailing
list. The position of “Data Diva” was established that year, too. This Board-appointed
officer would maintain the attendee address list and also became the “gate keeper” for
the CMG’s sought-after attendee data.
In 1996, a new symbol, the Chiron, appears on CMG tee shirts and program booklets, at the Spring
(28th ) Gathering. The Chiron became the symbol for the CMG, and the statewide organization. There
would be five forthcoming Gatherings which “adopted” the Chiron as the logo for those CMGs.
To resolve the long-standing concern about sexual activity in the cabins, outdoor “pup tents” were
to be erected, as a private safe-sex retreat, at all forthcoming CMGs.
In 1996, the first CMG web site was inaugurated. Gil Dawson, a celebrated web designer of
that time, was the first CMG Webmaster. The “Webmaster” became a recognized Board
Officer, in 2000.
1996, Labor Day Gathering (29th CMG), moved from Camp Swig to Camp Enchanted Hills, near
Napa. This
would be the first N. California Gathering to be held at a different location since 1985. Enchanted
Hills had a lower capacity than Swig—150 versus 400. There were other minor inconveniences
noted, such as a smaller kitchen, and the need to hire outside cooking staff. This was the first “no
women, no minors” Gathering. Most of the men surveyed informally, said they were gay or
bisexual.
The first appearance of the CMG at Gay Pride Celebrations occurred in 1996, in San Francisco, and
Sacramento. In 1997, the CMG had a booth in Los Angeles, as well. San Diego Pride had its first CMG
booth in 2003.
1997
January Business Meeting, Saratoga Springs, CA: “Community Outreach Committees” were
formed, later to become “Events Committees (EC’s).” The original purpose of
these local committees was to continue the “flow of energy” that was begun at the Gatherings.
Pot lucks, group admissions to theatre events, and other possibilities were encouraged.
1998
EC-SF and EC-LA were formed. An EC Planners Manual was created, and has been revised since
then. The CMG Board had a diversity-sensitive membership: a Black man, a Latino, and two Asian-Americans!
The 20th Anniversary was held, perhaps nostalgically, at Camp Swig. (33rd CMG).
1999
The third CMG per year, was added. San Diego Planners held the 36th CMG in Julian,
at Camp Marston, over the Thanksgiving weekend. The theme was simple: “Thanksgiving.”
An attempt to have a computerized registration was unsuccessful, but this was the opening of the
possibility for the CMG to use web site resources, and would improve visibility to younger men, while
lowering its promotion and registration costs. The full-service web site registration system
was inaugurated, for the 58th CMG, in 2007.
First Decade of the 21 st Century
2000
At the 2000 January Business Meeting, Glendale, California: Two Officer Positions were established:
Archivist and Webmaster. The archivist copies, scans, and stores the documents generated by
all Member, Board, and Committee meetings, and also serves as the CMG Historian. The webmaster
designs, and keeps the CMG web site up-to-date. In 2000, the San Diego EC is approved. The
Millennium played into the themes of the three Gatherings that year.
2001
Milton Markey (“Mohabee”), the newly-appointed Archivist, presents the first CMG Archive
Roadshow, a simple display of CMG memorabilia. The Roadshow is now seen at all three CMGs per
year, and includes a logo display, tee shirts from previous gatherings, and a photo display, as well
as CMG artifacts accumulated over the years.
2002
The first January Business Meeting to be held in San Diego. A four-paragraph “mission statement” is
proposed and passes. The 1994 Statement of Purpose remains active, as a reference to the earlier Gatherings.
2003
New camps were chosen for both the Summer and Fall Gatherings: Camp Newman, for N. California, and
Camp Stevens, for San Diego. Camp Newman continues to serve the Summer Gatherings, while Camp Stevens
served the CMG from ’03 through ’06. Camp Shalom continues to house the spring CMG, and
is our longest, and most consecutive camp in the CMG’s history (17 CMGs, total, 16 of
which were held in the Spring).
47th CMG, Summer, 2003: The 25th Anniversary is celebrated, at Camp Newman. The theme of this Gathering
is “Standing Tall.” A life-size cut-out of a tall man reaching up, holding his “prize,” is
seen in the Assembly Room, and at other venues throughout the camp. The use of cut-outs for a CMG theme
is seen two years later, at the “Out West” Gathering, also held at Camp Newman (56th CMG,
Summer, 2005).
2004
JBM, San Francisco: The initial inquiry as to the purpose of the CMG, is heard. Two leadership
focus groups are held, after the spring and fall Gatherings, to help facilitate a proposal at the
next JBM. The CMG database is to be completely “web site-friendly” by the end of 2004. An
EC in Sacramento is approved. The Members also approved a new Board position, the Director
of Communications. This position
unifies the CMG promotion, outreach, and all internal and external communications.
2005
Three visioning and goal-setting sessions, to determine the future of the CMG, occurs at the conclusion
of the Spring and Summer Gatherings, and during the Fall Gathering. The result of these meetings is
a new Statement of Purpose, along with a new Vision Statement.
2005 was a year the CMG themes and logos became prominent. The Spring Gathering (55th CMG,
Camp Shalom) had a theme “Releasing the Giants Within.” As a stage backdrop, three
colorful banners, in the Assembly Hall, depicted a gigantic man (the banners were nearly 30 feet high),
shown in three states of “being a self-actuated man.” The theme for the 56th CMG,
at Camp Newman, was “Out West.” Depictions of cowboys and other Western themes, in
simple cut-outs made of plywood, were placed both indoors and outdoors, at Camp Newman. Not to
be outdone by the two previous Gatherings, San Diego’s Planners offered purple sweat shirts with
a robust “Who’s
Your Daddy?” logo, for the 58th CMG (Camp Stevens).
2006
The annual January Business Meeting, held in Sacramento, adopted a short, but effective new Mission
Statement: “Men Mentoring Men to be Men.” At the same meeting, a goal to increase
the number of younger men to the CMG is raised, and leads to the formation of the “Y-CMG,” in
2007. An Events Committee in the Desert Cities region ( Palm Springs), is founded and approved. The
CMG EC’s
became the focus, to attract more men to the CMG.
2007
At the JBM, Los Angeles, A new board position, “Youth Director,” is founded. The “YCMG” is
established in the spring, and attracts many younger men to the 58th CMG. A parade float is approved,
to make the CMG moreso visible to gay men at the 2007 Pride Festivals in Long Beach, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, and Palm Springs.
Camp Stevens suffered heavily in the summer of 2007, from a forest fire
that burned several camp buildings, making it unavailable for the CMG. The San Diego Planners
quickly moved the 60th CMG
to a camp near Anza, California, named Pathfinder Ranch. The Gathering (themed “Creating
Our Own Realities”), held over Thanksgiving Weekend, attracted 120 men, and was conducted smoothly.
Looking Forward
2008 is the year of the CMG’s 30th Anniversary. The 62nd CMG, to be planned by Sacramento
men, will be the conducting the anniversary celebration, this coming Labor Day Weekend. The other Gatherings
will certainly hold festive celebrations of this anniversary. The actual 30th birthday of the CMG is
Oct. 8, 2008.
We look forward to many more years of growth, and encouraging men to be men mentoring men to be men…
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