Making Masculine

Making Masculine is a documentary about the constructs of masculinity and pressure that society places on all of us to fit into a heteronormative culture. Director Nicholas Swatz turns the camera on himself to share his personal experiences with femmephobia within gay culture, and how he had to find a sense of peace with his feminine characteristics. We also hear from Justin Gerhard, a Canadian actor who has made an online-personality out of his sexuality in the form of The Gay Men Channel on Youtube, and how he challenges the masculine 'norm' that has followed him since childhood. Dakota Conduct, a Chicago-based drag queen who embraced drag culture in response to the Trump presidency, shares personal triumphs after coming out and being rejected by family. Farah Ali, a clinical psychologist explains the psychological effects that the coming out process has on LGBT youth, and where low self-worth comes into play in the story. All of these stories come together to express the sense of pride that all LGBT people must possess in order to be unapologetically themselves, every day.