Chris Kilmartin Crimes Against Nature Summary

Crimes Against Nature.

SHORT BIO & SYNOPSIS

Chris Kilmartin, Ph.D., is an emeritus college professor, author, stand-up comedian, actor, playwright, consultant, and professional psychologist. In 2016, he retired as Professor of Psychology at The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, and he is a licensed clinical psychologist. He is known for his work in preventing sexual assault, changing the culture around sexual assault, and bringing light to how society gender-typifies children (and how this is harmful to both girls and boys). Dr. Kilmartin is an internationally-recognized expert on gender, violence prevention, diversity, and inclusion (“About Chris Kilmartin.”).

Crimes Against Nature is an hour long solo comedy theatrical performance piece written and performed by Dr. Chris

As a female, I had never put much thought into the social pressures to be masculine. I see, now, that there was never as much pressure for women to be feminine, as there was for men to be masculine. Dr. Kilmartin outlines some of the attributes of masculinity as, not showing feelings, not being allowed to cry, and doing something because it would “make a man out of you.” In my past, I have been with guys that were emotionally unavailable; I chalked this up to immaturity, but now I wonder does it have something to do with their unconscious and inherent need to be seen as masculine. I could have also easily been insensitive because they did not know how to be in a relationship. As a person, I have never been into sports, cars, or power tools, all things deemed masculine. So, when my high school boyfriend talked to me about football I would just nod my head, or when my dad would tell me exactly what was wrong with my car, I could just ask if he could fix it. I have recently got into power tools, but that is a story for another