The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of key theories in Men and Masculinities studies, with particular attention to their relevance to gay men. It reviews empirical studies on gay men and masculinities and locates the current state of the field. The central argument questions the commonly used term “gay masculinities,” arguing that it conflates two distinct lines of inquiry: (1) masculinities of gay men--that is, the forms of masculinity attributed to or socially associated with gay men--and (2) masculinities enacted by gay men--the practices through which gay men perform, negotiate, or express masculinities. This paper further argues that this conceptual conflation not only generates analytical ambiguity but also leaves the heteronormative premises underlying the category of “gay masculinities” intact. By disentangling the relationship between these two approaches, the paper clarifies their distinct theoretical implications and contributions. It then proposes replacing the umbrella term “gay masculinities” with the formulation “gay and masculinities/femininities,” which more accurately captures both dimensions and facilitates more precise engagement with the diverse ways gay men relate to masculinities and femininities.
Zhenghao LIN (Thu,) studied this question.