‘Fragile Faggotry’: A narrative inquiry into Latinx men experiences with anti-effeminacy stigma

Gay men embrace “straight-acting” behaviour to avoid feminine traits. The discourse of “straight-acting” produces and reproduces anti-effeminacy behaviours and homophobia contributing to the likelihood of mental health problems. Research suggests that Latino gay men tend to conform with traditional masculinity ideology when they are strongly involved with their ethnic group, social customs, and traditions. This attitude leads to anti-effeminacy as well as homonegativity. However, literature is still scarce on studies that examine how Brazilian queer men navigate and make meaning of homonegativity and anti-effeminacy stigmas. Therefore, this qualitative study uses interpretive narrative methodology centring the voices of six Brazilian men living in Canada. The findings explore themes of culture, race, and ethnicity, and their intersectionality with gender and sexuality. Thus, it provides an overview of how these men navigate discourses of masculinity and femininity in their daily interactions and implications for promoting healthier relationships and overall mental health among Latinx.