Masculinity in Conflict: Queer Latino Identity and Ethnic Belonging in Charles Rice-González’s Chulito

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.