Attitudes and mores around male sexuality are evolving and changing every day. What does this mean for modern masculinity?

1. TECH AND THE
NEW FLUIDITY
OF MALE SEXUALITY
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2. INTRODUCTION
In recent years we’ve seen a vast, global change in attitudes towards queer
culture and sexual expression. While queer communities certainly still face
marginalization, queerness is now facing unprecedented mainstream
recognition and popularity. NFL and NHL stars are publicly coming out, queer
representation in media is at an all time high, and queerness is often used for
clout in social media circles.

3. INTRODUCTION
Generation Z is on the vanguard of these evolving sexual identities (1 in 6 Zoomers
identify as something other than cis or straight), and, in large part, this is rooted in
newfound digital space — i.e. dating apps, and social media. Traditional
heteronormative values are shifting, and the modern man is anything but straight.

5. NEW DEFINITIONS OF
MASCULINITY
• As attitudes towards sexuality and gender identity become more accepting, the
boundaries of traditional masculinity radically shift, or disappear completely.
• What plays a role in shifting de
f
initions of male sexuality?
Queer representation in media
Exposure to queer experiences and people
A broad understanding of what queerness is
• How do we de
f
ine masculinity in a non-toxic way going forward?

7. HOW IMPORTANT ARE LABELS
IN THIS NEW LANDSCAPE?
• Could labels like “straight” and “gay” become less important as we
f
ind digital
space in which we can access anonymity in order to experiment and explore.
• These labels only become important if we give them weight
Are we de
f
ined by one experience?
When do we decide to land on an identity?
Is that identity mutable?
• Who bene
f
its from these static labels?
Are they a way of de
f
ining community?
Are they a tool of marginalization?

9. QUEER AS CLOUT
• As queer representation increases, we’re beginning to see public
f
igures use
queerness for clout
• Queer-baiting has become a trend in media as a way to monetize a now
pro
f
itable demographic
• Queer aesthetics and language has been coopted by straight communities, and
used to bolster their public image
• Is this harmful to queer people, or is it a way to introduce queer culture to new
audiences?

11. DIGITAL SPACES
AND ANONYMITY
• Spaces like Tumblr, Twitter, Reddit, and Sni
ff
ies a
ff
ord users some level of
anonymity, which can allow men to feel safe in exploring new sexual frontiers
• Does this harken back to a queer past in which anonymity in sexual and
romantic encounters was necessary for safety i.e. cruising?
• Is there a future where anonymity will not factor into this conversation?