Our Story
On a dark, cold February night in 2018, eight men, shocked to their core by the extent of #metoo revelations, met to discuss the role of masculinity in gender-based violence and to ask themselves the question: “What can I do to help?”. Inspired by the work of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW), we wanted to continue their important work to build better options for men. That night, Masculinity: Under Construction was born.
From these humble beginnings, and over the course of dozens of workshops, discussions, activities and fun social gatherings, we have grown our grassroots Ottawa-based community to include hundreds of brave men engaged in critically reflecting on masculinity and how it has shaped their lives and the world we live in.
At our core, we are a volunteer-driven, grassroots community of true D.I.Y. guys -- a meeting space for contemporary men to retool themselves and masculinity to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Knowing that strength is in numbers, we support each other to meet this personal challenge and provide helpful resources and tools to make “walking the walk” a little easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. M:UC exists to support the opportunity and obligation to reflect, and to develop a space that is optimal for men (and those who identify with masculinity) to work together, to learn, and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to build a healthy masculinity.
Our work is based on intersectional feminist values and any activism undertaken by this group reflects that orientation. For more information please see our Group Charter.
Meet The Team
Masculinity: Under Construction is a wholly volunteer-based, grassroots community organization based in Ottawa dedicated to bringing men together to reflect on masculinity and promote more diverse, inclusive and forward-looking views on men and manhood.
Behind this movement is a small, but passionate and dedicated group of volunteers. As a group built “for men and by men” we regularly and proactively seek the advice and guidance from a volunteer accountability committee composed of people with different identities and viewpoints in order to ensure that we are not, intentionally or otherwise, perpetuating harmful ideas, beliefs and ideologies through our volunteer efforts.
Alan Santinele Martino
Alan’s primary areas of interest include the sociology of sexualities, sociology of gender, and critical disability studies, as well as their intersections. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 46 adults with intellectual disabilities in Ontario, his research explores how adults labeled with intellectual disabilities are kept out of sexual fields – spaces that bring together sexual actors in their pursuit for love, intimacy, and pleasure – through a series of disabling social processes. Alan has worked closely with various self-advocacy groups and service providers in Canada and abroad to address questions related to sexuality and intimate citizenship.
Clayton Dignard
Clayton is a proud father of two and reluctant academic originally from Oshawa, Ontario. He's oscillated between social work and teaching for most of his life and is finishing up his masters in social work. (This is to further delay having to decide what to be when he "grows up"). He has a particular interest in trauma and attachment theory and is happiest in a canoe or tent, doing improv theatre, community activism, or building fabulous forts with his kids.
Grégoire Laforce
Greg is above all else a father to his two children, and a partner to his amazing spouse. Greg started reexamining masculinity in 2016 thanks to the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women’s ICanMANifest Change project, where he eventually got involved as a facilitator. In his spare time, Greg likes to do tai chi, or dance and clown around with his kids.
Jan van Heuzen
Jan has a background in Sociology and Law. He facilitated workshops for OCTEVAW since February 2016, coordinated the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program at the John Howard society Waterloo-Wellington, was a case worker for a long term shelter for young men, and currently provides GBA+ training. Jan loves being around people. In his time off he likes to flee the confines of his home, to sit in cafes (which sadly has not been possible for the last year or so, and I am still struggling with reshaping my life to meet my social needs).
Mathieu Mazur-Goulet
By day, Mathieu is a health policy analyst, where he also serves as ambassador for his organisation's Positive Space Initiative, which aims to create a more inclusive workplace for LGBTQ2S+ individuals. By night, Mathieu pursues his passion for social change through his involvement as one of the original co-creators of Masculinity: Under Construction, as well as his other interests in music, nature and personal growth. Mathieu is a proud queer, non-binary person who loves rainbows, unicorns and kindness.
Antoine Przybylak-Brouillard
Antoine is a palliative care health researcher at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute with a background in medical anthropology. He became involved with Masculinity: Under Construction to learn more about toxic masculinity and its impact on mental health. Antoine lives in Ottawa with his wife and three pets. He is an avid cyclist, reader and film-goer.