In South Africa, gendered violence, experienced through homophobia, has become common, with 'curative rape' for lesbian women on the increase and gay men being beaten up and verbally harassed. In this briefing I demonstrate how men's understanding of their masculinity is typically caught up in fears related to homophobic violence and exaggerated fears regarding sexual orientation. I argue that an analysis and understanding of masculinities may provide answers to the increasing gendered violence, and that higher education institutions can be key in bringing about change.