Our culture is pervaded by traditional, often oppressive notions of masculinity. Men are taught from a young age to be tough, independent, and emotionless. Meanwhile, in the US, men comprise over 75% of suicide victims, and substance abuse rates among men outpace those of women by three to one. To make matters worse, research suggests that men are significantly less likely to seek help for mental health issues.

In this Alma in Conversation, we unpack the challenges of being a man in 2019, as informed by the Me Too movement, modern feminism, and the growing study of “toxic masculinity.” We’ll ask questions such as: What does it feel like to be a man in America right now? What does healthy masculinity look like across men of different demographic backgrounds? What can men (and people of all genders) do to actively work towards embracing healthier masculinities, starting today?

Join us on Tuesday, May 21st at 7pm for a conversation moderated by Leah Fessler, a journalist and writer covering gender and power dynamics, with:

• Thomas Page McBee, author, journalist, "questioner of masculinity" (New York Times)

• Zach Reitano, co-founder and CEO of Ro, the healthcare company behind men's health service Roman providing online medical treatment for ED, hair loss, PE, cold sores & more

• David Gordon, psychotherapist and founding member at Alma specializing in men's issues

Speaker Bios:

Thomas Page McBee

Thomas was the first transgender man to box in Madison Square Garden, a “masculinity expert” for VICE, and is an international speaker on reimagining masculinity. A former senior editor at Quartz, his essays and reportage have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Playboy, Glamour, Out, and Teen Vogue, where he writes the column, "Boys to Men." He's also the author of two critically acclaimed books: Man Alive (City Lights) and Amateur (Scribner). Thomas has taught courses at the City University of New York’s graduate school of journalism and worked as a television writer for the forthcoming shows Tales of the City (Netflix) and The L Word (Showtime). He (mostly) lives in Brooklyn.

Zachariah Reitano

Founded in 2017, Ro is a healthcare technology company with a mission to provide personalized healthcare to everyone on the planet. Ro has three end-to-end verticals: Roman (men’s health), Rory (women’s health), and Zero (fighting addiction). With Ro, members can experience discreet, safe and easy online platforms to get all the help they need — from treatment, to prescription, to delivery and beyond. As CEO and cofounder, Zachariah leads all medical and regulatory operations and oversees all verticals. Prior to Ro, he was the EIR at prehype, a leading venture studio in NYC. He also previously founded Shout, a mobile Craigslist backed by Accel and YC. Zachariah was recognized as Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30, Business Insider’s 30 Under 40 in Healthcare, and Ro was named #2 in Wellness in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies 2019.

David Gordon, PsyD

Dr. David Gordon is a licensed clinical psychologist providing psychotherapy to adults, couples, and groups. His specialities include trauma, men’s issues, and relationship challenges. He received his doctorate from Yeshiva University, completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the William Alanson White Institute, and did his internship at the Brooklyn VA Hospital.

Leah Fessler, moderator

Leah Fessler is a journalist, writer, and investor most recently at Quartz, where she led coverage of gender, work, and relationships through a feminist lens. She’s the creator of How We’ll Win, Quartz’s now-annual special project on the fight for gender equality at work. Beyond journalism, Leah works in venture capital for Slow Ventures and Jane VC, and advises early-stage startups led by phenomenal female founders. Prior to Quartz, Leah worked in management at Bridgewater Associates, and wrote about sexual and romantic relationships for The Atlantic and The Washington Post. She has spoken on sex, relationships, and workplace inequalities at Hustle 2X, Aspen Ideas Festival, Harvard Law School, Chicago Council for Global Affairs, PBS Point Taken, and more. Her favorite things include honest people and her pug, Chester.