A Conversation with MCI Fellow Gimelly Bryant

Our most recent MCI Fellow Gimelly Bryant sat down with us to discuss her interest in male contraception and motivation in her work. This blog post shares highlights from that conversation.

What do you think about male contraception?
I believe male contraception represents both the future and the present. While many talk about it, they may not fully realize that it's actively being developed by brilliant minds. Male contraception offers a chance to expand the scope of family planning and reproductive health, allowing men to actively participate in their own reproductive health. This advancement could also change and improve societal perceptions of sex and family planning.

What motivated you to work at MCI? What did you accomplish/work on at MCI?
First, my interest in reproductive and sexual health stems from my Afro-Latina background, where sexual health is often considered taboo and not openly discussed. My experiences during undergraduate and graduate school further deepened my interest in the subjects. Second, after attending a presentation on male contraception by Logan, I realized how limited reproductive and sexual education can be, especially since discussions often focus primarily on women. The chance to work with MCI, an organization that advocates for balanced and inclusive family planning and male contraception, is an opportunity I was eager to jump on.

During my time at MCI I’ve focused on advocacy. My advocacy work has focused on developing health communications aimed at educating the public about reproductive issues, ensuring that information is accessible and engaging. I have also been involved in creating a policy brief that addresses critical topics within the male contraceptive field, aiming to influence policy and drive systemic change. Through these efforts, I have strived to promote a more informed and equitable approach to reproductive health and family planning.

What are some things that you wish everyone knew about male contraception?
I wish people would know how promising it was and believe in it. I wish they would educate themselves and be open to listen to the topic of on male contraception instead on knocking it down before even fully understanding it.

What impact do you think new male methods of contraception will have on the world?
New male contraceptives can make a huge difference in the world through creating a shared responsibility in family planning which can lead to more equitable reproductive/sexual responsibilities within people and partners. This can shake up societal views on gender roles and shift  it to a more balanced, inclusive and non binary view. Also, with more readily available options, men would be able to take more charge in their reproductive and sexual health. Overall, I believe male contraception can spark more innovation within the field and tackle more health challenges globally.

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