De-Masking Masculinity: What Does Being a Man Mean Today?

From Hollywood heroes to social media influencers, our culture today is full of mixed messages about what it means to be a man. These myths of toughness, dominance and emotional silence have shaped generations and left many men disconnected from themselves and others.

By unpicking these stories, we can live more thoughtfully and supportively.

Our guest speaker: Kris Genijn

Kris Genijn leads De-Masking Masculinity workshops at transformational festivals like Medicine, Nowhere and Burning Nest. He blends humour, vulnerability and cultural critique to ask: what have we lost in trying to “man up”?

Kris invited us to consider how tenderness, play and presence can be reclaimed as strengths, helping us move beyond stereotypes.

He also led us through a series of energy alchemy exercises: using breathing and movement to help us shed our inhibitions and release our energy.

Our singalongs

As usual, there were four pop songs performed by our Sunday Assembly London band and reflecting today’s theme of masculine identity.

• Piano Man – Billy Joel
• The One and Only – Chesney Hawkes
• Father and Son – Cat Stevens (Yusuf)
• All These Things that I’ve Done – The Killers

As always, the lyrics were projected on screen and everyone was welcome to sing (and dance) along.

Thank you to our band for adding versality to virtuosity, with multiple lead vocalists and instrumentals.

About Sunday Assembly London

Sunday Assembly London is your regular and reliable stop for a welcoming, accessible and inspiring Sunday community, where you can hear talks and poetry, sing songs and make new friends.

Stay after for tea, biscuits, and chat in the Backyard Comedy Club. Then join us for a local meal, picnic, or a drink and card games at the pub.

→ Our next assembly: The Sound of Movement, 7th December
← Our previous assembly: Keep Calm and Carry On: Connection Through Our Shared Humanity, 2nd November

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Have you got your Yule Rock ticket yet?

Sing Christmas pop loud and proud, with a live band and a room big enough for 200 very festive people.

It’s happening on Friday 12th December at Rich Mix in Shoreditch.

Based on Yule Rock 2024 sales, we’re expecting 2025 to be a sell-out. Find out more about the Yule Rock magic and get tickets at https://bit.ly/yulerock25