"I have a Queery about...Masculinity" ft. Charlie Rodriguez

"What makes a man?" "Why is our current version of masculinity problematic?" "How have we changed the way we live in order to fulfill certain gender roles?" "Why is assigning babies gender problematic?" "What if a boy doesn't want to be the textbook 'man'?"

On this week's episode, I interview Queer theatre maker, avid baker, and HAIM lover, Charlie Rodriguez (he/him/his). We tackle the complex idea of "masculinity": what is it? What is our definition of it? What are the problem's with how we have come to define it? We start with Charlie's first experience of being told to "butch up" and the universality of this experience  being the start of many gay men's or men who are naturally more "effeminate" battle with having to perform the gender role that was assigned them. We also discuss:

Trauma and the effect that has on how we live in the worldHow we mold our bodies to fit whatever gender we are presenting or trying to attractThe problem of masculinity and internalized homophobia within the gay communityHow we assign babies not just a gender before they're born, but a prescribed way of life and expectations for them to fulfill.The patriarchal structure of God and religion

Woof...and many more Queeries...Strap in.

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Organization of the Week: Black Transmen Inc.
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Resources for further learning:
"I Wore 18th-Century Clothing *Every Day for 5 YEARS & This Is What I Learned (Corsets Aren't Bad!)"
Read Amateur by Thomas Page McBee and The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs, PhD
"I’m Masculine Because I’m an Artist. Why Are You?" by Jake Young at TEDx Texas State
"Being Purple in a World of Reds and Blues" by Jorrel Javier at TEDx Texas State

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón