Lessons from anti-sexist men's groups: ways we fall short around race, gender, sexuality, religion.

What is it about?

Men’s involvement in the antiviolence and women’s rights movements has increased in recent decades, but men’s groups still struggle to recognize difference among men. This study is based on a year-long participant observation and interview study with Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence and the Sweet Tea Souther Queer Men's Collective, two gender justice groups directed toward men of marginalized communities. A third group, Men Stopping Violence (MSV), helped shape the formation of both these groups, and the ways this happened illustrate some dynamics and difficulties of intersectional organizing. One key finding is that MSV’s training and resources were crucial for both groups, but MSV’s failure to organize intersectionally was as important in their formation. From these examples, I theorize three categories of ways that mainstream organizations fall short of inclusion for marginalized members and communities—organizational elements that are culturally unacceptable to marginalized communities, necessary elements that are absent, and environmental comfort—and make suggestions for how social movement groups can learn to function more effectively around these concerns.

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Why is it important?

The example of MSV's impact on MMADV and Sweet Tea highlights some common dynamics between mainstream and intersectional organizations, and can provide clarity and creative ideas for navigating these relationships.