This book and discourse indeed caught my attention. When indeed interested in the dialogue of a social, cultural dynamics one must consider and look into all forms of the argument.. So here we are. Sort of a "no homo" approach to homosexuality. Let me first say .... I get it. Long are the days of Stonewall, Harvey Milk and even the sexual revolution - we are now in the 21 century of queer theory ... we as a people have far to go but have come far. There is a stance that I felt and feel in common with the author when I 1st began to discover my own identity and how that related to my sexuality (only indeed a PART of who I am). So many times growing up I would see representations of homosexuality in media and think... "but wait that's not me.. I may not be straight but I not... that.. am I?". Granted I was no football quarterback but the continued investment in media's representation of the effeminate homosexual left me... clueless. I was left questioning ... "Well what does it mean to be a man?" Through letting my self go and opening my mind to different cultures, views and opinions, I discovered to forget what media tells me a man is and to define it for myself. Trust worthy, reliable, one who takes responsibility for themselves, one who takes care of his fellow man, a leader AND a follower when need be... all in all a good person who is on their grown up shit. That's a man. Granted that still leaves space for the large conversation of what is there to be said about the implications of masculinity and femininity in men and women and how we view, treat and apply these active social institutions.
So ... great.. this seems like a interesting read. no? If so.. why do I feel like it will only PISS ME OFF. There has been and is a huge segment of the homosexual community that has taken this "no homo" homosexuality to the ends and turned it into a negative. Self hate runs more rampant then we would all care to know. Aside from my own taste and values, I have come to cheers media's representation of effeminate homosexuality and "gay" culture because - it's "free", open minded and about the celebration of life... "pride" if you will. In the stance against adversity.. it takes a real man to walk in pumps, a face full of make up and still be just a "rough and tough" to stand up against homophobia and still be as "gracefully" as a lady. Its about the "manipulation of the act of" - masculinity and femininity. Homosexuals get to play with this manipulation. To put it up for speculation, cheers to its positive attributes or point out its falsies. Granted yes. I think media needs to and should continue to show a spectrum of views and representations of the homosexual..but... I see an over bearing self hatred and contradictory attitude already in the argument of this book and.. I haven't even read the full description. So ... shall I purchase it? To support a self hating author or to support valuable argument of contemporary queer theory.. or not..
Stay tuned.
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