A controversial “pick-up artist” and blogger who runs a “neomasculinity” group for like-minded men, is hosting an international meet-up day, including a meeting here in New Zealand, but gay men, trans men and women are not allowed. Daryush Valizadeh, who thinks rape on public property should be legalised, runs the group Return of Kings and has organised 165 meetings in 45 countries, with three New Zealand locations; Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington. The Return of Kings website states that the men believe women should be feminine and men should be masculine, the meetings are to promote “male-bonding”. The website strictly states the meeting is for "for heterosexual men only”. Valizadeh wrote in a post on the website; "Our views are becoming known enough that we can 'come out' of the shadows and not have to hide behind a computer screen for fear of retaliation. "Let the sixth of February be a clear signal to all that we're not going anywhere. We have finally arrived."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 2nd February 2016 - 10:12am