The hyper-masculinization of the Latin American marica.

Culture, capitalism and gender per-

formance.

Key words.
Hyper-masculinization - Latin American marica - power relations - gender performativity

Author: Hctor Miguel Corral Estrada.

Translation: Marty Stewart Minnich.
Cultural Studies M.D. Student.
Institution: El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, A. C.

e-mail: miguel.corral.estrada@gmail.com

Un homosexual es un ser areo, desasido,

sin sitio fijo o propio, que anhela de alguna manera retornar
a no se sabe exactamente qu lugar.
-Reinaldo Arenas, 1991.

En Nueva York no vi locas.

Daba miedo encontrarse con ese Olimpo macho,
con los cueros, los msculos.
Rechazo esta construccin ideolgica
y me pregunto hasta qu punto
los homos han sido tambin cogidos por el sistema.
-Pedro Lemebel, 1996.

Abstract. pression mechanisms of the radical insurgent

This work discusses the institutional disciplinary
marica through homo-normalizing and that, in
forms that shape marica1 bodies and subjectivi-
addition, this association of masculine stereo-
ties in Latin America, based on the intersection
types as not only desirable, but also promoted,
of culture, capitalism, and gender. This paper
from within groups of gay men, thus ignoring
also provides elements for understanding the op-

1 1. Marica is a colloquial term used in different Latin American countries to refer disparagingly to gay men. In addition to being an in-
sult, it can can also be used to mock the lack of masculinity in some men. It can be used interchangeably as marica or maricn. In a simi-
lar way to what has happened with the term "queer" in the Anglo-Saxon context, marica has been re-appropriated by individuals as a
strategy in response to obligatory heterosexuality imposed by the patriarchal dominant.
1
the historical process that, together with femi- Theoretical Discussion.

nism, has questioned the heteronormativity of There are known intellectual figures, in literature

Western societies, by challenging of the imposi- and in art, such as Manuel Puig, Pedro Lemebel,

tion of models of dominant masculinities. Reinaldo Arenas, Nestor Perlongher and Felix

Gonzalez Torres, who along with many others,

Introduction. claimed their right to difference. Their delicate

This paper seeks to provide elements in order to forms of conduct, the homoeroticism evident in

reflect critically around the following questions: their works, their aesthetic sensibility, contrasted

What are the disciplinary mechanisms that oper- sharply with the social expectations of being a

ate on bodies and the processes of the subjectifi- man and all that is masculine. In the sixties and

cation of the Latin American marica, and that seventies, the struggle of homosexuals was the

result in their gradual hypermasculinization? right to be different. To claim their affections, in

their sexuality, in its forms of expression. During

The relevance of addressing this issue from a the times of homosexual liberation, the loca and

gender perspective and power relations, lies in the vestida2 in public spaces represented figures

the possibility offered in terms of unveiling the that transgressed the ideal of being a man as in-

ulterior discursive structures of power/knowl- trojected in Latin cultures. Their presence repre-

edge to mechanisms that compare the marica to sents a serious defiant to gender norms that pro-

the masculine and differentiate bodies based on a duce "culturally appropriate forms regarding the

restrictive-binary, making invisible any sexual behaviour of men and women" (Conway,

practices other than heteronormative ones. Bourque and Scott, 2013, p. 27). By producing

the differentiation between women and men

2 Just as with marica, loca (literally crazy in English), serves as a negative way to define and make fun of homosexual men. Vestida is
a pejorative expression that targets female transvestites, transgender individuals and transsexuals.
2
based on anatomical-biological sex, it justifies in relation to the Other seen as the deviant. Thus

inequalities in the exercise of power that favours a social order of domination of men is stablished

men over women. That which Bourdieu (2000, against of those who are different, through their

pp. 86) has called male domination, is merely a oppression and submission. This domination is

complex patriarchal machine "that turns women of a social nature and is intimately interwoven in

into symbolic objects [...] has the effect of plac- political, cultural and economic realms. In the

ing them in a permanent state of body insecurity category men all men are included, although it

or, better said, symbolic dependence. This sym- would be unrealistic to think that all lie in the

bolic violence that is established in the form of same position of privilege. When speaking of

contempt for that which is feminine, also extends male hegemony, the figure alluded to is that of

in the same way to the Latin American marica, the white, heterosexual, European male. There-

in that his identity emerges as a peril to those fore, if represented as a pyramid, we may find

standards and therefore should be punished and men who, because of their racial, ethnic, eco-

denied, modeled and directed. nomic, geographic, or sexual orientation, condi-

tions decrease in their hegemony. Valencia

Since the beginning of humanity, everything per- (2010, p. 173) calls them marginalized masculin-

taining to men and that related to masculinity has ities and identifies them as those that are based

been considered superior. Desirable characteris- on "obedience to the hegemonic, capitalist, and

tics in Western societies are associated with men hetero, masculinity, thus legitimising and reach-

and masculinity: smart, strong, productive, sexu- ing the rung of the hegemonic and understanding

ally capable. However, this does not depend on dissent as dystopian and violent. However, in

biological or natural features, but rather a cultur- general they have all historically been consid-

al construction that places men at a higher level ered (by themselves) superior to their female

3
peers. Lamas (2013) and Joan Scott (2013, pp. tive: the exercise of power generates strategies,

271), state that gender "is used to designate so- relations, practices, that obey the interests of

cial relations between the sexes [...] a way of re- those who wield it. However, although power

ferring to the exclusively social origins of sub- can accumulate on one pole of the relationship,

jective identities of men and women." Gayle this implies the possibility, unlike the pyramid

Rubin explains it based on his proposed system scheme, for those who are located at the opposite

of sex-gender that establishes "a set of rules by pole to generate strategies to counter the concen-

which the biological raw material of sex and tration of power and make it flow. Foucault

human procreation are confirmed by human and called this resistance and asumes that power is

social intervention and satisfied in a convention- everywhere, not only concentrated in one pole

al manner "(Rubin, 2013; pp. 44). That is, sexual of the relationship.

differentiation of bodies implies that unequal

opportunities exist in society. Again, if we place ourselves in a web of power

relations, we could say that in the face of com-

Rubin's proposal also serves to raise the case of pulsory heterosexuality and male attributes par

the oppression of sexual minorities. Articulating excellence, the Latin American marica comes to

with Foucault thought we would say that in a represent the counterpart that generates resis-

network of social relationships, heterosexual tance. In the public order, he dismantles the dis-

men have a greater opportunity to exercise pow- course of truth in different ways and with very

er, that is, to make their interests legitimated different effects: through his flamboyant dress,

through practices that most often are discursive. and womanly gestures and mannerisms. Howev-

Contrary to prevailing wisdom, power- accord- er, the overthrow of heteronormativity occurs

ing to Foucault - is not repressive, but produc- mostly in sexual practices: the man who enjoys

4
being penetrated by another man. For centuries marriage, adopt children and raise a family in the

and in different cultures homosexuality has been heterosexual way. In those terms, they no longer

severely punished. Perversion and immorality they seek to differentiate themselves by their

were adjectives that accompanied it through en- Otherness, but are interested in homogenizing. I

tire generations. But it is precisely this visibility remember the 2013 gay pride march in Mexico

acquired in the sixties and seventies that con- City, and how there was a contingent of homos

verts it into an identity that subverts the hetero- dressed in black suits and ties; they embodied

centric system, as never before being a faggot the shame provoked by the others who blatantly

was a source of pride. The sexual revolution and rejected and threatened the average standard of

feminism had to happen in order for the masculinity.

Stonewall Riots to emerge.

What are the reasons for the hypermasculiniza-

However, today it is increasingly common to tion of Latin American homosexuals? For Judith

find homosexuals who deny those who are very Butler (2007) one of them is to delegitimize the

feminine or in drag. The idea that being homo- gender practices and sexual minorities, as men-

sexual does not imply that one stop being a man, tioned above, instituting regimes of truth about

that one can be macho who like men, has gained sexuality, gender and desire. These logics are

momentum, to impose certain styles of dress and imported from the United States and obey their

behavior: bearded gay men, tattooed, with cow- ideal of the successful, capitalist man. The

boy jeans, those who wear manly t-shirts and livelihood of the ideal masculine man is given on

have hairstyles emulating James Dean. On the the basis that one can be a man and woman -het-

other hand, these new fags, unlike those who erosexual- in a linear continuum of social rela-

joined the gay liberation movement, yearn for tions. Under this logic, people would necessarily

5
be placed in a place on this linear continuum, cause of this it is important to establish mecha-

whether heterosexual man or its opposite ex- nisms to handle it in accordance with established

treme, heterosexual woman. Gender is performa- heterosexual interests. The fashion trends that

tive, ie, there are gender norms previously estab- were previously described (tattoos, hairstyle and

lished as if they were natural and through inter- certain types of clothing) are not innocent acces-

nalization mechanisms, the subject appropriates sories that are suddenly decided to be used or

and repeats, claiming them frankly as essence. not. In them are inscribed the desired hetero-pa-

triarchal models to be performed in society, i.e.,

For Butler (2007), gender is fiction and there- they can be understood as disciplinary devices.

fore, individuals can escape the fate of compul- The purpose of these disciplinary devices is the

sorily placing themselves somewhere on this line "constant fastening of forces and it imposes on

and create their identity not necessarily linked to them a relation of docility-utility" (Foucault,

their biological sex or imposed roles. That is, 2002, pp. 141). What is sought after is the nor-

although gender performativity is a constant, it malization, or rather, the elimination of what

highlights the ability of agency that individuals most deviates from the social convention.

have to subvert it and in this sense, political ac-

tion occurs. Of course, subverting gender per- That everyone be similar, imitators of masculini-

formance implies problematizing it. Fags of the ty, deniers of difference. While on the one hand,

sixties and seventies questioned it and defined it the hope is that the fag body signs on to mascu-

outside the established regulatory frameworks. line precepts, because power is a productive

force, it is important to think about what is

Homosexuality is also embodied. That is to say, sought underneath is not only to silence the dif-

its experience is also lived in the body and be- ference but also to use it to the convenience of

6
the dominant system. If the desire is intimately cial institutions that historically refused fags is

related to sexual practices, then they have to be an achievement. Moreover, we undertake strug-

restricted and re-directed to activities that pro- gles and movements for the right to marry and

duce surplus value for capital: labor. Therefore, raise a family. Vindicating the business of equal-

in order to understand why an entire politic ity has become the quintessential social value.

around the normalization of the Latin American What Latino marica have not realized it is that

fag exists, we must try to explain it in the basic entering the game of a heterosexually structured

structures of capitalism. If just as Gayle Rubin society is not going to warrant the conditions of

(2013, pp. 39) we understand it as "the process equality and respect they so eagerly desire. We

in which the capital is produced by extracting must accept that to enter to play in a game where

surplus value from labor by capital" we can un- the rules were set before our invasion not only

derstand that in and of itself the fag way of life leaves us in the background but disrupts our ca-

does not produce any added value. It is not sur- pacity for political agency.

prising then that for some authors such as Gayle,

modes of production and patriarchy can be prac- The ground on which this discussion is being

tically used as interchangeable concepts. planted is not that of good or bad. It is not about

If in this work I have decided to address primari- judging if it is better to adopt the attributes that

ly the population of Latin American marica, it is have historically been considered desirable for

due to the recognition that each context provides men, or evidencing the differentiation should by

elements that make it special and different nu- the apotheosis of queerness. In the best case sce-

ances that make it different from other cultures. nario, what is important here is to note that the

Gradually Latin America countries are permeat- hipermasculinizacin of Latino maricas can be

ed with the idea that being accepted into the so- read, among many other theories, as a discipli-

7
nary device, with the purpose of maintaining un- that it is just an instrument that reflects the com-

der control the configuration of the network of pelling logic of permeating capitalism and that

power relations, based on the logic of the nor- benefits, as always, a few, white, heterosexual

malization of the Other. Likewise, both the sub- men.

ject of desire and also the body play a key role in

the standardization process. Nor is it about think- Conclussions.

ing that the 70s were better and that that type of To critique the hyper-masculinization of Latin

fagness should be revered because then we American marica not only help to observe the

would be ignoring the historical path and cultur- dynamics of this particular social phenomenon,

al changes that have occurred within our soci- but it also interpellate us, as politic subjects, to

eties. question about the construction of deviant identi-

fications.

The real aim is to show that either one or the

other decision is taken, it must be analyzed fol- Just like Leo Bersani (1995), we believe that

lowing the unveiling of the structures that allow imitation or approximation of homos towards the

the solidification of the oppression suffered by hegemonic models of masculinity, rather than

sexual minorities. If hipermasculinizacin actu- caricaturing and subverting the homonormative

ally translates into better living conditions and accomplice system of the heterosexual axis, reaf-

opportunities for social and personal develop- firms a distaste for the female, the loca, and the

ment for homosexuals, then we bet for its gen- marica, idealizing certain representations of

uine adaptation in Latin American societies. masculinity and considering inferior identities

However, as we have seen and without thinking beyond this model.

about it in terms of one single cause, it might be

8
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