Capturing Impact

Our Recap of A Gathering of Leaders 2014

Masculinity in New America: Beyond the Spectrum A facilitated conversation centered on how BMOC-focused organizations around the country are negotiating masculinity and manhood within their programs.

Presenters/Moderators

Donna-Marie Winn University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Brenda Salgado East Bay Meditation Center / Alliance for Boys and Men of Color

Main Points

  • Gender expression is a spectrum that is independent of sexuality.
  • In spite of the fact that gender is a spectrum, men of color sometimes feel obligated to present themselves as hyper-masculine because of how they will be judged by others.
  • The way men of color express their masculinity can be influenced by spirituality, by community, and by their relationships with their children.

Standout Quotes

"My masculinity is tied to me being afraid of being me. I tie that fear to the backs of women. So I use women to justify the fact that I’m not gay. And I’m afraid to have those relationships with men that go deeper because of my own homophobia." Samuel Simmons