2: What Makes the Man?

In this episode of Assigned Sex, Unarchived, Shaun sits down with Kyrie, an original cast member from the Assigned Sex documentary , for an honest conversation about Black masculinity, passability, and self-definition as a Black trans masc person. Kyrie opens up about the challenges of performing masculinity in cis-masc spaces—from the early days of transitioning and losing access to community through sports, to navigating dating, fetishization, and loneliness while “blending in.” Together, Shaun and Kyrie explore what it takes to build a version of manhood that feels authentic, grounded, and free.

Shaun also shares a brief lesson on Jim McCarris, a Black trans man living in 1950s Mississippi, underscoring how Black trans and genderqueer people have always been part of our history. Follow Assigned Sex on Facebook and Instagram at @assignedsex, and subscribe to the Assigned Sex newsletter on Substack for episode updates and extended conversations.

Credits: Host: Shaun Dawson · Guest: Kyrie · Engineer : Aaron Freeman · Producers : Shaun Dawson & Nandikayyy · Music : “Soul of Orleans” by John Lopke ; Street Gospel Hip Hop Piano – 75bpm – Bbmaj by nnaudio (licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.)