UNMASC

• What is UNMASC?

UNMASC is an annual St. Louis storytelling event where men and people who identify with maleness share personal stories about how social ideas of masculinity have shaped their lives, relationships, identities, healing, and growth. The event aims to expand public conversations about masculinity beyond stereotypes and traditional gender expectations.

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• Who are the storytellers?

Storytellers come from diverse racial, cultural, professional, and personal backgrounds. Every year there are non-binary people, trans men, straight men, and queer storytellers; Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian; forklift operators and college professors. The storytellers are selected because they are willing to share authentic experiences that help all of us reflect on masculinity and its impact on our lives.​

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• What happens at the public event?

Participants take the stage and tell true, personal stories about their experiences with masculinity. Stories often explore topics such as friendship, fatherhood, grief, sexuality, shame, love, resilience, and self-acceptance. Recent events have also include art, music, refreshments, and audience discussions.

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• Why was UNMASC created?

  The event was created to challenge limiting ideas about manhood and create space for honest conversations about vulnerability, emotion, relationships, mental health, identity, and healing. Organizers seek to encourage healthier and more inclusive understandings of masculinity

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• Is UNMASC only for men?

No. We draw our storytellers from people who identify with maleness from how they were raised to how they are experienced in the world. It has been a transformative experience for people of many identities. And, while the stories focus on men's experiences and masculinity, the audience includes people of all genders. The event is designed to spark community-wide dialogue about gender norms and their effects on everyone.

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• What kinds of themes are can I include in my story?

  Common themes include emotional expression, friendship, mental health, family relationships, violence and violence prevention, sexuality, gender expectations, healing, and personal transformation. But you could share about anything that makes sense from your experiences.

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• When does UNMASC take place?

  The weekly meetings for UNMASC will take place August through October. UNMASC, the live event, is held each year during Violence Prevention Month in October and this year will be Saturday, October 17th, 2026.

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• Where is UNMASC held?

  UNMASC is a St Louis event. We meet weekly from August through October in St Louis and the live event has recently been hosted at Il Monastero on the campus of Saint Louis University in St. Louis.

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• How does UNMASC support the community?

  Beyond storytelling, the event raises awareness about mental wellness, violence prevention, and healthy masculinity. Proceeds and donations support programs that expand access to healing resources and mental health services, particularly for Black men.

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• Who organizes UNMASC?

UNMASC is produced through a collaboration between Jermar Perry of The Village PATH and James Meinert of Undo Bias.

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• What is the overall goal of UNMASC?

  The goal is to change the narrative around masculinity by encouraging honest storytelling, reducing stigma around vulnerability, and fostering healthier, more compassionate ways of understanding what it means to be a man.