PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Robert Thompson
Email: info@saveservices.org
Phone: +1-301-801-0608
Snowball Effect Following Obama Endorsement of Enhanced Programs for Men and Boys
September 22, 2025 – On July 16, former president Barack Obama spoke out on the need to develop tailored programs for young males. In a heartfelt manner, he recounted:
“We rightly have tried to invest in girls to make sure that there’s a level playing field, and they’re not barred from opportunities. But we haven’t been as willing, I think, to be intentional about investing in the boys. And that’s been a mistake. And I think people are starting to recognize that. … [T]he public at large that’s starting to see like, hey, we gotta do better by our boys.” (1)
Obama’s statement inspired other Democratic leaders to take action.
Two weeks later, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued a Proclamation recognizing International Falsely Accused Awareness Day, which took place on September 9. The Proclamation urged reflection on “fairness, truth, and justice in the legal system,” noting that many Americans have experienced or know someone who has experienced a false accusation (2). According to a recent YouGov survey, falsely accused men outnumber falsely accused women by a two-to-one margin (3).
Last Tuesday, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom established an ambitious and unprecedented California Men’s Service Challenge. The Challenge calls on 10,000 men around California to mentor, coach, and tutor. The Challenge consists of alliances with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentor California, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Giants Community Fund, and the American Institute for Boys and Men (4).
This service push builds on Newsom’s previous statewide Executive Order in August, directing agencies to prioritize suicide prevention, expand access to education, work, and mentorship for young men and boys. It tasks California Health and Human Services with analyzing gender gaps to close service disparities (5).
Earlier this year, Democratic senators Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Ruben Gallego of Arizona co-sponsored the Dads Matter Act of 2025. (6) In addition, Senator Ted Lieu of California announced his membership in the congressional Men’s Health Caucus. (7)
Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE) has identified 12 areas of male inequality, spanning education, health, false allegations, partner abuse, homelessness, media portrayals, and more—each requiring focused, good-faith solutions (8).
Momentum for gender equality for men is also bipartisan, with leaders in both parties elevating men’s issues and male voters increasingly described as a decisive “power demographic” (9).
SAVE invites Democratic lawmakers to lead with evidence-based steps that reconnect young men to community, reduce suicide, and safeguard civil rights—advances that strengthen families and communities for everyone.
SAVE is a 501(c)3 organization working for gender fairness and equal rights for men.
Links:
(1) https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/barack-obama-reveals-why-difficult-210519735.html