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Bailey Thompson<\/strong> | News Editor<\/span><\/p>\n In her New York Times article, Maya Salam defines toxic masculinity as \u201cwhat can come of teaching boys that they can\u2019t express emotion openly; that they have to be \u2018tough all the time\u2019; that anything other than that makes them \u2018feminine\u2019 or weak.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Aiming to discuss this concept with the Western community, Abby\u2019s House and Omega Delta Phi joined together on Jan. 24, seeking to start a conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n Leading the two-hour discussion, Aislinn Addington, director of Abby\u2019s House, and Tim Glascock, director of the WOU CASA and Campus Suicide Prevention programs, shared the vision they had for the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about exploring what it means for all of our campus men to play a positive role in preventing sexual assault, dating violence and stalking,\u201d said Addington. \u201cIt\u2019s about what that means for our whole campus community.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Glascock then communicated that people can start by simply listening to the experiences of those around them.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe want to recognize that everyone has a story to tell, and we\u2019re here to hear those stories and to connect with one another,\u201d said Glascock.<\/span><\/p>\n Individuals then shared stories of how toxic masculinity has impacted their lives. And, while each person had their own unique story, there were some ideas that could be tracked throughout many: toxic masculinity is often used as a defense, intersectionality can contribute to the different masculinities seen in various communities and identifying harmful gender stereotypes is necessary before people are able to combat them.<\/span><\/p>\n After the discussion I spoke with Keith Mathew, a senior community health education major and Abby\u2019s House advocate, who shared his perspective that toxic masculinity is not a problem exclusive to heterosexual men.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is apparent in all kinds of relationships, and the example I shared about another man who was messaging me for romantic reasons had such a narrow definition of masculinity,\u201d said Mathew. \u201cI think it\u2019s important to show that gay men \u2014 we\u2019re not all perfect. We\u2019re not the perfect woke community. We still have our issues that we\u2019re figuring out.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, Erik Morgan, senior philosophy major and ASWOU Vice President encouraged men to realize that there are others out there who looking to engage in these conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMen helping other men overcome toxic masculinity \u2014 that\u2019s one of the most important drivers,\u201d said Morgan. \u201cIt just can\u2019t be any single person. It has to be an entire movement: not just one, but the many.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n If students would like to learn more about toxic masculinity or contribute to the conversation, they can contact Addington at addingtona@wou.edu<\/a> or Glascock at glascockt@wou.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n