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a peer-reviewed quarterly journal on literature
E-ISSN 2457-0265
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Scholarly Article
Kunal Kumar Halder
Masculinity in Conflict: Queer Latino Identity and Ethnic Belonging in Charles Rice-González’s Chulito
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages:
65-71
Keywords:
masculinity, sexuality, ethnicity, Latino identity, queer, intersectionality, young adult literature
doi:
Abstract
Charles Rice-González’s Chulito (2011) destabilises traditional masculine stereotypes by exploring ethnicity, sexuality, and spatial identity. The novel centres around a teen from the Bronx who struggles with the cultural expectations of Latino masculinity that often marginalise queerness. The novel emphasises the protagonist’s need for authentic self-expression, which comes into conflict with heteronormative expectations, especially those rooted in spaces shaped by ethnic identity. Racial exclusion is seen in gay spaces, while Latino communities continue to often display deep-seated homophobic attitudes. Chulito’s transformation from internalised denial to bold resistance reflects the psychological and societal pressures masculinity norms place on queer Latino adolescents. This study contributes meaningfully to the discourse on intersectionality within queer ethnic young adult literature.
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Rice-González, Charles. Chulito. Bilingual Press/ Editorial Bilingüe, 2011.
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About the Author(s)
Mr. Kunal Kumar Halder is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Bangabasi Morning College, Sealdah. He completed his Post Graduation in English Literature from Presidency College in 2005. He qualified for UGC NET in 2011. Presently he is a Ph.D. research scholar in the Department of English at Bankura University. His areas of interest are gender studies, partition literature and children’s literature. His papers were published in various journals and he also presented papers in national and international seminars. He may be contacted at bmcengkkh2021@gmail.com.
