# /0 Summary

In order not to ignore existing patriarchal relations within care politicisation, regular separate exchange among all FLINTA* persons is recommended. This exchange creates a protected space in which FLINTA*s can collectively and critically reflect on patriarchal and male dynamics in the plenum and actively counter them.

At the same time, it is necessary for cis-men in the care structure to meet separately in their own rounds to reflect on gender-specific problems. The aim is to find out how masculinity impedes the organising of FLINTA in the care structure — and how cis-men can actively support FLINTA in doing so. This way, cis-men can recognise and address masculinity problems early, or at least reactively contribute to resolving them — and thereby become more reliable comrades for FLINTA*.

This protocol describes foundations and concrete possibilities for masculinity-betraying organising.

# /1 Theoretical Foundations on Masculinity

## // Concept(s) of Masculinity — What Do We Mean by It?

Masculinity is to be understood as an ongoing problem: it rests on the idealisation of one's own subjectivity as strong and without contradiction, combined with the devaluation of other subject positions. The male self-image unites sexual and social potency in a claim to sovereignty that is accompanied by a dual threat — the fear of potency failure and the fear of women. Queers tend to be perceived as traitors who unsettle one's own gender identity, while the relationship with cis women is characterised by a mixture of desire, fear, envy and hatred. Sexual violence serves not only to restore damaged masculinity, but also for sexual gratification.

Men reassure themselves of their sovereignty by making others — mainly non-cis-men — into objects of desire, violence or care. This often happens not directly through physical violence, but through the displacement of one's own insecurities by calling on other people as affirmers of one's own sovereignty. At the core it is about receiving attention, recognition and care in order to maintain one's own sovereignty — without having to productively engage with feelings of vulnerability. When this fails, the violent dimension is close at hand. The task of a Betraying Masculinity structure is therefore not to be a "correct man", but to actively betray and attack masculinity wherever it manifests itself.

> **[!] No Critical Masculinity!**
>
> The task of a Betraying Masculinity structure is not to promote being a "correct, critical man", but to actively betray and attack masculinity wherever it manifests itself!

# /2 Recommendations for Practice

> **[!] The Most Important Thing Is Practice!**
>
> The most important thing is to actually hold regular meetings among men, whose output must meet the expectations of comrades — and not merely serve self-presentation.

## //2.1 Where Do We Want to Start Concretely?

- **Actively attend to the needs of non-men:** Is there a practice of learning about the claims and experiences of women and queer people and actively supporting them?
- **Make vulnerability accessible:** How can we talk productively about our own insecurities — especially in front of other men — without taking up excessive space or making ourselves the centre? How can we risk shame and be prepared for offence?
- **Strengthen self-responsibility, be reliable:** How can we actively break with our own idealised self-image and take responsibility for our own behaviour, instead of retreating into justification and moral purity?
- **Practise confrontation:** Where are men to be directly addressed and confronted about problematic behaviour — including how to deal with the feelings of shame and discomfort that arise?
- **Keep male competitive dynamics in view:** How can we only bring in theory when it genuinely contributes to understanding, not for self-presentation? Where can we name and reduce name-dropping, doubling of contributions and combative conversational styles?

> **[!] Transparency!**
>
> A claim to transparency is essential: invite FLINTA*s with whom you are organised to these plena, make minutes of the plena accessible to them, discuss results within the organising.

## //2.2 Possible Structure of a Betraying Masculinity Plenum

1. **Check-in** with collection of agenda items
2. **Agenda items** — Structured problem-working along the following questions:
   - Are there currently topics involving masculinity in our structure that are impeding non-men in their organising?
   - What are we doing about it?
   - How are we currently supporting FLINTA*s in their feminist organising?
3. **Check-out** with Strategic Orientation

> **[!] Critical Reflection!**
>
> Establish a mode of regular reflection on the extent to which the structure actually helps to work through masculinity issues and support comrades in their organising!