What was also interesting, as illustrated by Javier's comment, was the way in which respondents’ conceptions of masculinity were racialized. In addition, masculinity functioned as a prerequisite to determine which men were acceptable to date. The men in my study closely surveilled each others’ behaviors, often sanctioning their friends who behaved too femininely in public settings. The men constantly debated, both explicitly and implicitly, about what type of clothing, behaviors and ways of speaking they considered to be feminine, and by default non-masculine. Throughout my conversations with Javier and other US-born Latino gay men, masculinity was a regular topic of discussion. And usually, Latino men only go for other masculine Latino guys. That's not what I found I’m attracted to either. I was just trying to be part of the mainstream white gay scene. I mean, when I first came out, I used to play the part, you know, be a little more femme.
For the most part, I consider myself masculine.
