Connect the article "Masculinity as Homophobia" (p80) to the film "Boys Don't Cry" that we watched in class. Use examples from both the film and text to talk about issues of what it means to be a man and how that can be and has been used to oppress gays. I also welcome you to include your own personal observations and/or reactions to the film.

"Masculinity as Homophobia" discusses mainly the way men percieve eachother by appearance, personality, etc. Men are constantly under pressure to act tough or manly and this puts them under alot of pressure. With this being said, a man who's homosexual would feel out of place in the world because they may act different. As Micheal Kimmel states gay men possibly are "very emotional, they show their feelings." Other straight men may feel the need to prove their "manliness" and ridicule or hurt gay men because they act a different way. The straight men seem to have the attitude as if they have something to prove. A perfect example of this was the rape scene in "Boys Don't Cry".
"Boys Don't Cry" was a very touching moive for me. My thoughts on "Brandon Teena" dressing up as a boy to get girls is indifferent. I understand why she did and I have nothing against gays, but I believe it was a bit selfish because she should have though about other girls feelings. She didn't realize that she may hurt someone else in the process by making a girl fall in love with her, then realize she's been lied to the whole time. But I do understand that it is tough to be yourself in her situation in today's society, but I find it harded and she eventually did in the end to, to be something your not.