Boys and Men's Commission update and related VA news!
Virginia politics holding up a final vote + some positive boy/men updates
In this issue:
Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission update
Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders
Choros: App for male friendship (Alexandria founded)
Dads for All: Community building for dads (Fairfax based)
Masculinity researcher seeks VA participants
National updates — good news! — re: men’s issues
Legislation to establish a Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission is one of a host of bills in the crosshairs of a House–Senate budget standoff despite sailing through committee and floor votes with little opposition. Final vote is expected within the next week or so.
Reminder of the impact of this legislation:
Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission could be the country’s first such body that is permanent, written into state code, and independent of the governor.
HB1188 enjoys bipartisan support, including an endorsement from House Speaker Don Scott, while its companion bill SB447 is sponsored by state Democratic Party chair Sen. Lamont Bagby. HB447 is co-sponsored by Sen. Lashrecse D. Aird (D-Petersburg) while HB1188 co-sponsors are:
Del. Jason S. Ballard (R-Giles County)
Del. Nicole Cole (D-Henrico County)
Del. Michael B. Feggans (D-Virginia Beach)
Del. Michael J. Webert (R-Fauquier County)
Del. Jackie H. Glass (D-Norfolk)
Lead sponsor Del. Josh Thomas (D-Prince William) was the subject of a well-deserved Virginia Public Media profile (audio and written):
Virginia stands to be a national and even global leader in men/boys policy, programs and research on a critical issues that affects its whole population — let’s hope the general assembly sees the opportunity and passes HB1188!
Virginia is already being looked to as a national leader on boys and men’s issues. Next week I will be speaking to an organization in the United Kingdom about male-specific policy reform and have been invited to consult with several national organizations on how to attract and retain men and boys.
The following are some of the cool men/boys activities in the Commonwealth:
Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders
February 20, the Center for the Study of Boys in Virginia hosted the first-ever “Helping Boys Thrive: A Community Conversation” which welcomed over 50 educators and nonprofit leaders from 38 Richmond area organizations that serve boys and young men. Coalition member Kimberly Hudson is director of the center at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, which is recognized globally as a leader in K12 boys scholarship.
Choros: App for male friendship
Founder Alex Vans, based in Alexandria, is building Choros, a mobile app designed around how men naturally form friendships: In-person, doing stuff.
The platform helps men connect through small group activities like hikes, pickup sports and trivia nights. Part of Startup Virginia’s incubator, Alex has organized more than 250 meetups across the D.C. and Northern Virginia, with plans to expand to other cities this year.
Dads for All: Community building for dads
Nonprofit Dads for All is building networks for fathers around the country. These in-person groups of dads self-organize around local community projects like a park cleanup or a school event, which Dads for All supports through coaching and and event stipends.
Fairfax County resident and co-founder Mohan Sivaloganathan partnered with Virginia-based Choros (see above!) to organize dad hangs, thanks to the networking power of Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men!
Masculinity research participants needed
A high school student at University School at East Tennessee State University is seeking to interview men who live Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia for a research project on masculinity.
She seeks to connect with men who are:
• Ages 40-65
• Biologically male
• Fully identify as male
• Reside in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia
• Are present in the U.S. at the time of this study
Contact Kaiya Robinson at Robinsonkm2@etsu.edu or read more details about the project.
Partnership for Male Youth
Dennis J. Barbour is President and CEO of Partnership for Male Youth and a VCBM member. PMY offers access to expert research and interviews and its free newsletter is a fantastic resource on policy, research and news affecting young men. I always read this newsletter! Sign up here.
National news on male issues
In recent weeks:
The White House Council on Fathers and Sons Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), would create a federal council within the White House to coordinate research, policy, and programs focused on strengthening father involvement and addressing challenges facing boys and young men. The bill has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee.
H.R. 7602, the State of Men’s Health Act, introduced by Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) with bipartisan support from members of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on the health status of men and boys in the United States.
The American Nurses Association officially adopted the Men’s Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice along with formal recognition of Men’s Health Nursing as a specialty within the nursing profession. This makes nursing the first healthcare profession to recognize a men’s health specialty supported by a formal scope and standards document.
Good update! Virginia has a chance to make history by approving the Boys and Men Commission, and I hope it makes the right decision in the next week.
The State of Men’s Health Act would also create a federal Office of Men’s Health—a step that’s long overdue, given that men’s health receives relatively little attention and resources, and men tend to experience worse health outcomes than women. Contact your representative to vote for H.R. 7602!