Skip to main content

Ironman: Modern Masculinity

We’re excited to offer this short series of virtual panels on masculinity, violence, and the intersections of gender and race. Focusing on masculinity can help us get to the root of many systemic issues and helps inform how we lead healthy relationships and healthy communities.

The recordings don’t need to be viewed in a specific order. The first, filmed in the spring of 2020, focuses on accountability and community. The second, filmed in the fall of 2020, focuses on COVID-19, violence, and healing. We’re happy to offer discussion questions to guide your process, and an opportunity to provide feedback to us. Please reach out to us for discussion facilitation.

Fall 2020

Ironman: Modern Masculinity Panel II

“Ironman” Discussion Guide Questions

  1. Some of the panelists talked about violence against people with intersecting marginalized identities, like indigenous children or queer women of color. How do systems of power enable violence against particular communities and lessen it for others?
  2. Based on the speakers’ conversations and your own experiences, what are some barriers to being vulnerable and what impact(s) might this have?
  3. What are some of the strategies or practices the panelists mentioned for being grounded and helping maintain non-sexist and non-violent relationships? What practices most interest you?

Please provide feedback in our survey.

View the Discussion

Resources

Below are resources recommended by Melanie, Mario and Jeff; panelists featured in Ironman: Modern Masculinity Panel II.

Books and Information

Spring 2020

Ironman: Modern Masculinity Panel

Discussion questions to consider after watching.

  1. What stereotypes around masculinity and race did the speakers face?
  2. Based on the speaker’s conversations and your own experiences, what are some barriers to being vulnerable?
  3. What is one healthy practice that you want to begin to take care of yourself and others?

Please provide feedback in our survey.

View the Discussion

Meet the Panelists

  • Melanie Fillmore headshot

    Melanie Fillmore

    (they/them and she/her)

    Melanie is an urban mixed Hunkpapa, Lakota and a Citizen of The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. She is a PhD Graduate Assistant of Public Policy and Administration with the School of Public Service at Boise State University. Melanie has worked as a data analyst with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to understand the Impact of Domestic Violence in Idaho Indigenous communities. She is currently working on a study with Boise State University’s Criminal Justice Department and the State of Idaho’s Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance to understand public policy response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous persons in
    Idaho.

    Melanie is an urban mixed Hunkpapa, Lakota and a Citizen of The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. She is a PhD Graduate Assistant of Public Policy and Administration with the School of Public Service at Boise State University. Melanie has worked as a data analyst with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to understand the Impact of Domestic Violence in Idaho Indigenous communities. She is currently working on a study with Boise State University’s Criminal Justice Department and the State of Idaho’s Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance to understand public policy response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous persons in
    Idaho.

  • Mario headshot

    Mario

    (he/him)

    Mario grew up in Sacramento, California with his large family including his parents, seven sisters and two brothers. He joined the Air Force in 2002, which eventually brought him to Idaho in the summer of 2006. He has served a total of 17 years in the military; 6 years active duty and 11 years in the Idaho Air National Guard, which he is currently serving in. He has worked with at-risk youth in Idaho for 11 years. His interest in masculinity comes from what he has seen praised, valued and copied in the youth he has served. This not only breaks his heart but creates a calling to hopefully help rewrite what masculinity is and how it is viewed.

    Mario grew up in Sacramento, California with his large family including his parents, seven sisters and two brothers. He joined the Air Force in 2002, which eventually brought him to Idaho in the summer of 2006. He has served a total of 17 years in the military; 6 years active duty and 11 years in the Idaho Air National Guard, which he is currently serving in. He has worked with at-risk youth in Idaho for 11 years. His interest in masculinity comes from what he has seen praised, valued and copied in the youth he has served. This not only breaks his heart but creates a calling to hopefully help rewrite what masculinity is and how it is viewed.

  • Jeff headshot

    Jeff

    (he/him)

    Jeff is a father, partner and believer in change and since 2004 has been a member of the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence team. Jeff travels, listens, asks questions and is part of the movement to engage men as part of the solution to end violence against women, girls and gender nonconforming community members. In this time of movement, Jeff honors individuals’ stories, the connection to one another and a solid pick-up game of basketball.

    Jeff is a father, partner and believer in change and since 2004 has been a member of the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence team. Jeff travels, listens, asks questions and is part of the movement to engage men as part of the solution to end violence against women, girls and gender nonconforming community members. In this time of movement, Jeff honors individuals’ stories, the connection to one another and a solid pick-up game of basketball.

  • Jeremy Harper headshot

    Jeremy Harper

    (they/them)

    Jeremy is an agender, queer, biracial educator with a background in gender studies and gender based violence intervention. Their interest in masculinity is both professional–as someone who supports residential students in the development of healthy relationships and communities–and personal–as someone who was assigned male at birth and has spent decades trying to redefine what that means for them.

    Jeremy is an agender, queer, biracial educator with a background in gender studies and gender based violence intervention. Their interest in masculinity is both professional–as someone who supports residential students in the development of healthy relationships and communities–and personal–as someone who was assigned male at birth and has spent decades trying to redefine what that means for them.

  • Terrell Couch headshot

    Terrell Couch

    (he/him)

    Terrell serves as one of the Fraternity and Sorority Life coordinators in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center. Terrell graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; with two years consulting for Phi Gamma Delta in both Development and Great Lakes regions, accounting for 50 different campuses.

    Terrell serves as one of the Fraternity and Sorority Life coordinators in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center. Terrell graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; with two years consulting for Phi Gamma Delta in both Development and Great Lakes regions, accounting for 50 different campuses.