By Michael Kelman Portney

Let’s not mince words. The left has a messaging problem. A big one. While they clutch their pearls and workshop yet another meaningless slogan about inclusion, they’ve managed to alienate an entire generation of young men who might otherwise agree with their policies. Why? Because instead of engaging with these men’s struggles and insecurities, they’re too busy telling them their masculinity is toxic and their very existence is problematic unless they’re willing to surgically remove parts of themselves—both literally and metaphorically—and sacrifice them to the gods of performative virtue.

Now, before you clutch your ethically sourced pearls, let me be clear: I’m not talking about gender-affirming care for trans individuals, which is a vital and necessary part of healthcare. I’m talking about the broader cultural narrative that’s turned masculinity itself into a dirty word, leaving young men feeling like they have to choose between embracing who they are or joining the ranks of the so-called “toxic” right-wing bros who at least tell them it’s okay to exist as men.

The left’s approach to masculinity has become so hostile that it’s driving young men straight into the arms of people like Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson—guys who offer them structure, identity, and a sense of purpose, even if it’s wrapped in a problematic package of misogyny and snake-oil self-help. Meanwhile, the left seems content to tell these same men that their struggles don’t matter, their pain isn’t valid, and the only way they can redeem themselves is by becoming eunuchs for the cause.

It’s no wonder young men are fleeing the left like rats off a sinking ship. The right is offering them a narrative where they’re not the villain of the story. The left? They’re offering guilt, shame, and a vague promise of redemption if they’re willing to self-flagellate hard enough.

Here’s the thing: masculinity isn’t inherently toxic. It’s not the enemy. But when the left refuses to engage with masculinity in a way that’s positive, productive, and affirming, they’re ceding that ground to the right. And guess what? The right is all too happy to fill the void. They’ll give young men a sense of belonging, a community, and a purpose—even if it’s wrapped up in regressive politics and harmful ideologies.

If the left wants to win young men back, they need to stop treating masculinity as a disease to be eradicated and start treating it as a strength to be harnessed. They need to offer young men a vision of masculinity that’s compatible with progressive values—a masculinity that’s compassionate, inclusive, and rooted in justice but still unapologetically strong.

Because until that happens, young men are going to keep drifting to the right, where at least they’re told they have value, even if it’s in all the wrong ways.

So no, the left doesn’t literally want men to chop their dicks off and throw them in the river. But metaphorically? Well, it sure as hell feels that way to a lot of young men. And if the left doesn’t wake up and start offering these men a better alternative, they’re going to keep losing them.

The question is: does the left have the guts to stop self-sabotaging and start actually listening? Or are they too busy playing into the caricature that the right has already so masterfully weaponized?

Time will tell. But if they don’t change course soon, it’s going to be a long, lonely road to irrelevance.