Gay Masculinities

How do gay men respond to controlling notions of masculinity in society and stereotypes of gay sexuality? This book explores the ways in which gay men in the United States engage in, contest and modify these notions and develop a sense of masculine identity. The book examines the creation of identity through the everyday lives of gay men: their work; home; community; and relationships.

Without question, the media have perpetuated stereotypes of gay men, often portraying them as effeminate. Such a limited depiction illustrates the problematic conflation of gender roles and sexual orientation, raising important questions about the relationship between the two. The articles collected in this volume represent an attempt to understand how contemporary gay men in the United States engage in, contest, and modify controlling notions of masculinity. Peter Nardi, with contributions from leading scholars in the field of gay studies, examines the ways in which gay men develop a sense of masculine identity, with a special emphasis on the every day lives of gay men. These essays consider a great range of issues, from gay masculine identity in business, church, home, and community, to interpersonal relationships of gay men. A fascinating and thought-provoking addition to the Research on Men and Masculinities series, Gay Masculinities is a must read for any scholar of sociology, gender studies, education, anthropology, psychology, or communication.