Oliveros, Nemuel N., <br/><br/>
'Pass sa halata!' :   narrative analysis of femmephobia and toxic masculinity among gay men in Camarines Sur /  
Nemuel N. Oliveros. 
 - 188 leaves., 
<br/><br/>Undergraduate Theses (ABELS) - English Language Studies 
<br/><br/>Includes bibliographic references. 
<br/><br/> This qualitative study investigates the manifestations of femmephobia and toxic  masculinity within the gay community in Camarines Sur through their narratives. Despite certain  research on internalized homophobia, femmephobia, and toxic masculinity, there is a dearth of  localized studies that investigate how these issues manifest in the narratives of Filipino gay men,  particularly in non-urban settings. By conducting semi-structured interviews, this paper analyzes  how the six (6) purposively selected participants position themselves in relation to these issues,  and how they vary across different narratives through the lens of Bamberg's (1997) three (3)  levels of narrative positioning, queer linguistics, and femme theory. Findings reveal that  participants navigate femmephobia and toxic masculinity through various linguistic strategies to  construct and express their identities. Internalized homophobia frequently resulted in  self-regulation and suppression of feminine characteristics, particularly amidst perceived  heteronormative expectations. While some participants resisted societal pressures through  advocacy and self-acceptance, others struggled with fear of judgment and social exclusion.   Socioeconomic background influenced resilience, with individuals from more stable conditions  exhibiting greater self-acceptance.  This study highlights the devaluation of femininity in the gay  community, which contributes to internalized stigma and reinforces toxic masculinity.  Overall,  this study fills research gaps by offering localized insights into the intersections of gender,  language, and social power, contributing to the broader discourse in queer studies.