May 1, 2020

In an era of “toxic masculinity,” sex panic, social isolation, and the eradication of safe spaces for men, it’s all the more critical that we identify and create opportunities for men to connect and heal from sexual repression. Bate culture, centered on the social network Bateworld, offers men a community grounded in mutual affirmation and encouragement of sexual pleasure. Based on interviews with Bateworld members, as well as Alex’s personal experiences, this session will explore how a community of “chronically addicted masturbators” subverts stereotypes, nurtures intimacy, and shatters barriers of sexual identity, age, physical appearance, ethnicity, class, and gender assignment at birth.