Edgar Gomez, "High-Risk Homosexual: A Memoir" (Soft Skull, 2022)
May 3, 2023
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Edgar Gomez, author of 'High-Risk Homosexual,' discusses machismo, cockfighting, Pulse nightclub shooting, bilingualism in literature, and the 'messiness' of latinidad. His memoir is praised and recognized for its authenticity and impact. Gomez reflects on challenging societal norms, navigating queer healthcare and trauma, processing grief, and preserving bilingualism in storytelling.
Embracing emotional vulnerability challenges machismo norms within Latinx culture, highlighting the journey to self-acceptance and authentic masculinity.
Incorporating Spanglish and Spanish in storytelling authentically represents the Latinx experience, emphasizing bilingual communication and cultural richness.
Deep dives
Exploring Identity and Queerness Through Memoir Writing
Edgar Gomez, a writer of Nicaraguan and Puerto Rican descent, discusses the inspiration behind his memoir 'High Risk Homosexual.' Delving into the journey of storytelling from TV production to prose, Gomez highlights the importance of sharing queer stories. By unlearning machismo cultural norms, he emphasizes the gradual process of self-acceptance and emotional expression, demonstrating the significance of embracing one's true identity.
Navigating Latinx Identity and Familial Acceptance
In 'High Risk Homosexual,' Gomez portrays the intricacies of Latinx identity amidst family dynamics and societal stereotypes. Addressing the challenges of machismo within Latinx culture, Gomez redefines masculinity by embracing emotional vulnerability and self-expression. Through his narrative, Gomez underscores the nuanced journey towards self-acceptance and navigating familial relationships, exemplifying the complexities inherent in the Latinx experience.
Cultural Representations and Multilingual Storytelling
Gomez intertwines Spanglish and Spanish dialogues in his memoir to authentically portray his Latinx experience. By incorporating Spanish without italicization, he emphasizes the natural blend of languages in bilingual communication. Through intentional multilingual storytelling, Gomez offers a narrative that resonates with bilingual readers, representing the cultural richness and diversity of the Latinx community.
Reclaiming Personal Narratives and Advocating for Inclusivity
Through 'High Risk Homosexual,' Gomez navigates the complexities of personal identity, familial acceptance, and queer resilience. By reclaiming narratives and advocating for inclusivity, Gomez challenges conventional stereotypes and norms surrounding Latinx and queer experiences. His memoir serves as a platform for authentic storytelling, fostering understanding, empathy, and self-empowerment within marginalized communities.
Writing Latinos, from Public Books, is a new podcast featuring interviews with Latino (a/x/e) authors discussing their books and how their writing contributes to the ever-changing conversation about the meanings of latinidad.
For this episode, we caught up with Edgar Gomez on his memoir High-Risk Homosexual (Soft Skull, 2022). The conversation with Gomez was one of our most wide-ranging, flowing, and honest yet. We talk about machismo, cockfighting, reconciling with parents, the Pulse nightclub shooting, bilingualism in contemporary literature, and the “messiness” of latinidad.
The New York Times called High-Risk Homosexual “a breath of fresh air.” The book is a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Memoir/Biography; an Honor Book for the 2023 Stonewall Book Award-Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award; and was named a Best Book of the Year by BuzzFeed, Electric Literature, and Publishers Weekly. Born in Florida but with roots in Nicaragua and Puerto Rico, Gomez received an MFA from the University of California, Riverside.
Geraldo L. Cadava is a historian of the United States and Latin America. He focuses on Latinos in the United States and the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. He hosts the podcast "Writing Latinos."