Purity Culture and Masculinity: A Group for Men
Purity culture affects all people who experience it, and men are not immune to its harms. After working with individual male clients for years, it’s time to tailor a group to men’s experiences and get more men talking to each other.
Purity Culture and Masculinity is a new Purity Culture Dropout™ group for men who want to examine masculinity and patriarchy, especially in light of the rise of Christian Nationalism.
This group is for men who want:
A safe place where you can discuss your experiences with gender roles and expectations, masculinity, patriarchy, sexuality, and what it means to be a man in today’s world
To build community with like-minded men (I know so many of you leave religious communities and miss that aspect)
Discussions led and facilitated by a skilled sexuality educator with a background in gender studies (me)
Curated educational materials (readings, videos, etc) to supplement the group discussion topics
A supportive environment where the discussion of serious topics meets humor and warmth (I promise we’ll have fun)
Some of the topics we’ll explore over the course of ten weeks include:
Patriarchy
Gender roles and expectations
Intimate relationships
Fatherhood and family styles
Bodies and body image
Sex, porn, and masturbation
Violence
Shame and guilt
Your personal experiences and stories as related to the above topics
What People Are Saying
“Creating space for people to open up about religious trauma and sexuality in a meaningful way is no easy task but Erica did it every week. Together we addressed the shame that in the past had kept us hiding parts of ourselves that desperately wanted to come out. What a joy it was to find connection in a group like this--to show up as my whole fucking self and be accepted.”
— Group Participant“Erica meet us all right where we are. She does so with unfettered welcome and kindness and gentleness. We’re not a project or an agenda or a cause to save. We’re people with a lot of fuckin’ baggage, and she offers a safe, steady place to bring it to the table. Our vulnerabilities and fears and desires are held carefully. I simply cannot say enough about how good she is.”
— Group Participant“Erica's a skilled and compassionate facilitator. You’ll undoubtedly gain information, education, and insight. I’ve had the privilege of being in 2 support groups. All helpful and significant. You’ll have the needed and refreshing experience of meeting other folks just like you. You suddenly won’t feel as alone.
— Group ParticipantTrans men are welcome. Queer men are welcome. Members are welcome regardless of their current relationship to religion.
I hope to attract a group of men raised in purity culture who encompass different life experiences and identities so we can learn from each other.
I am SO excited about this new project. I want to talk to men, and I want men to talk to each other.
I strive to facilitate groups with support, humor, and a genuine interest in connecting with all members and connecting members with each other.
Purity Culture and Masculinity: A Group for Men
8 week group
Total cost: $480 per person
Can be made in 3 payments ($160/ea)
Groups start week of May 4th
Group 1: Wednesdays at 7pm ET
Starts Wed, May 6th
(for 8 consecutive weeks)
Group 2: Thursdays at 9pm ET
Starts Thurs, May 7th
(for 8 consecutive weeks)
Group 3: Sundays at 11am ET
Starts Sun, May 10th
(for 8 consecutive weeks)
“[Erica’s} content is excellent - she’s a fun, empathetic, and knowledgeable mentor. I had followed her for a while, so I was expecting all of that. But the camaraderie that developed in our group surprised me. Almost a year later, some of us are still in touch and still meet over Zoom. Coming out of purity culture and religion can be a lonely experience because a lot of people “went to church” growing up, but most didn’t face the intensely controlling environment of evangelicalism that bends and warps who you are. Particularly if you have begun to wake up or question but remain in contact with family or friends who have not, these groups are for you. It’s intensely galvanizing to experience Erica’s empathetic wisdom in a group with the kind of allies you didn’t know existed.”