ABSTRACT
The desire to essentialize ethnic identity in the guise of a masculinist nationalism not only obscures gender but sexual identities as well. It seems that gay masculine constructs offer alternative strategies to resist the effects of a hegemonic model of masculinity; particularly, gay models of masculinity allow straight men to confront an inherited homophobia and the conventional masculine fear of effeminization. An embrace of the stereotypically positive traits of both “masculinity” and “femininity” may allow men and women alike to cross rigid gender boundaries to strategically determine what those positive traits can be. Michael Kimmel calls for a democratic manhood that struggles for equality and inclusion. One of the potential strategies to resist the temptations of a hegemonic masculinity included a solid understanding of the basic tenets of feminism in order to create a dialogue with Asian American women.
