Stepping into Denver Airport on September 08, 2026, Mars Wright felt a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. As the only trans man invited to the Hey Brother House a retreat designed for male content creators to explore modern masculinity, Mars was both excited and nervous. His friends’ concerns echoed in his mind, but Mars trusted his intuition, a trait he believes many trans people share.
The retreat promised to be an intense experience, with Mars sharing a house with 12 cis men for eight days. As he waited for his suitcase, his mind raced with questions about the bathroom situation, potential transphobia, and whether he would feel isolated. Despite these concerns, Mars was determined to embrace the challenge.
Arrival and initial concerns
Upon arriving at the Hey Brother House, a three-storey home in the suburbs of Denver, Mars found Jonathan, one of the retreat’s founders, preparing welcome bags. Jonathan’s warmth put Mars at ease, but the random room allocation presented a new challenge. Mars was assigned a shared bathroom with four other men, which made him uncomfortable. He decided to explore Denver before addressing the issue, seeking solace in a local gay bar where he danced and felt a sense of community.
Building connections and vulnerability
The next day, as the other participants arrived, Mars knew he had to address the bathroom situation. Jonathan, understanding Mars’ concerns, offered him a private room with an en-suite bathroom. This gesture of support reassured Mars that he could trust the organizers and the other men.
The retreat began with an icebreaker activity where Mars was paired with Carlos, a wrestler from Arizona. They were tasked with maintaining unbroken eye contact for three minutes, an exercise that initially made Mars uncomfortable. However, something in Carlos’ eyes made Mars feel safe, marking the beginning of a unique connection.
Later, during an activity called “If You Really Knew Me,” Mars struggled with vulnerability. He heard the other men sharing deeply personal stories, some even crying, but Mars felt hesitant to reveal his truth. He didn’t want his trans identity to define him in the eyes of the others. Yet, he realized that many of his most intimate and important moments were tied to his transness.
As the retreat progressed, Mars began to see the value in these shared experiences. He started to understand that masculinity is not a rigid concept but a fluid one that can be redefined through open dialogue and mutual respect. The Hey Brother House became a space where Mars could explore his identity and find a sense of belonging among a diverse group of men.
