The Male Gazed: On Hunks, Heartthrobs, and What Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men

The Male Gazed: On Hunks, Heartthrobs, and What Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men is not just another memoir-in-essays. It is a powerful and insightful exploration of masculinity and desire that will challenge the way you think about men. With deep dives into thirst traps, drag queens, Antonio Banderas, and telenovelas, this book reframes the conversation around desiring men.

Manuel Betancourt, the author, knows firsthand what it's like to covet masculinity. Growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, he was constantly pressured to appear strong, manly, and straight. But through the films and television he consumed, Betancourt discovered a different world of possibilities. From the romantic leads in telenovelas to the heartthrobs of Disney films, he constantly questioned whether he wanted them or wanted to be them.

In The Male Gazed, Betancourt courageously explores the allure and fragility of masculinity. He delves into its anxieties and its potential for eroticism. This book challenges the notion that masculinity is inherently toxic, instead offering a nuanced perspective on its complexity and power. As we navigate through decades of pop culture's attempts to define and redefine what men can be, wear, do, and desire, Betancourt asserts that looking at men is still a subversive act.

Written in the spirit of acclaimed authors Hanif Abdurraqib and Olivia Laing, The Male Gazed blends personal anecdotes with incisive cultural criticism. It takes readers on a journey of intimacy, homoeroticism, and the danger of internalizing harmful ideas about masculinity. If you're ready to challenge societal norms and explore a fresh perspective on desire, this book is a must-read.

Experience the transformative power of The Male Gazed and discover a new understanding of desire, masculinity, and self-acceptance. Order your copy now!