Gay Men and Homoaffection: Alternative Gay Masculinities in /Hombres de verdad/ (2020), by Alberto Marcos

Abstract

This article analyzes the representation of gay masculinities in the short stories collection Hombres de Verdad (2020), by Spanish author Alberto Marcos. The book shows the existing tensions between the traditional model of masculinity and the alternative of a masculinity based on homoaffection, intimacy and emotional expression among gay men. Consequently, even though some characters are governed by professional success, reputation, social recognition, masculine and heteronormative appearance, and sporadic sex, the alternative affective paradigm prevails. For the most part, the characters show a predilection for deeper connections in their romantic relationships and friendships, valuing being heard and understood. This way the short stories debunk the stereotype of the promiscuous gay man who only seeks sex, while also criticizing the homonormative model that aims to create a respectable homosexuality following heterosexual parameters. Marcos’s work reveals the need to include gay men in masculinity studies, as they also represent varying models of masculinity. In a similar way, it questions the traditional understanding of what it means to be a “real man” by showing how sensitivity and affection constitute an essential part of all masculinities.