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Gil Cuadros, City of God, (p. 103 – 124)

This collection of poems, written by Gil Cuadros, explores the experiences of homosexual Latino men living in America, grappling with the pressures of religion and the challenges of being infected with AIDS. The poems delve into topics such as first encounters, testing positive, predatory behavior, and judgment. Through powerful verses, Cuadros sheds light on the hardships faced by these individuals, offering a poignant portrayal of their lives.

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Gil Cuadros, City of God, (p. 103 – 124)

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  1. Gil Cuadros, City of God, (p. 103 – 124) Ayaa Elgoharry Kiya Kennebrew

  2. Gil Cuadros - born July 22, 1962 - died October 4, 1996 - Gilbert Daniel Cuadros - Born in Los Angeles, CA - studied at East L.A. College and Pasadena Community College

  3. Poems To the first time Dear Richard My father near retirement Bordertowns Resurrection There are places you don`t walk at night, alone The breath of god that brings life Turmoil At risk Even months after the death, john dreams

  4. Shows what it is like for homosexual Latino men to grow up/ live in America. Each poem embodies the pressures of being religious, homosexual and infected with AIDS. These poems are representations of different aspects of these men lives - first encounters - testing positive - death - predatory behavior - judgement

  5. Quotes - " Voices crowded the corners, bustle to bustle and I was still a virgin watching nervous-eyed, the bare-chested men act out Pan."(pg. 103) "It was natural to have you inside my mouth, like a straw in milk, fights after school and too naive to know what`s shame."(pg. 105) -" I know his fingers kill him. Grease under the nails, years of turning bolts bare-handed, the strength we kids knew he processed, " (pg. 107) " I know she`s laughing as hard as I am, she finds it difficult to imagine anything but a women`s body next to hers" (pg. 110) - " the sudden loss of weight till nothing is hoilding is holding me down, just bones and leather, the scars of being eaten alive. - " They`d cuff me from behind, their hands lingering on my neck, saying "Come here faggot, kiss me."

  6. Discussion questions • Do you see any connections between the poems presented in City of God and what we have been discussing for the last couple of week? • ex. masculinity, AIDS, religion, violence, etc

  7. MORE QUOTES • - " I give in to his pressure, tension released. His face gives nothing away but the job at hand, small victories we've coaxed from my body, a garden he has worked during war." (pg. 116) • -" I want God to see this, unhindered, what he created, the mingle of flame and brawn to smell the muscles of this love." (pg. 119) • - "  I didn't dare ask how long I`ve got, palm over my mouth, I say mother softer than I ever did before." (pg. 123) • - " Blood is there again, it rushes out of the wound and his lover always laughs at John`s horror, twists his body, cups the fluid in his palms, offers the rich wine, adoringly, the salty flavor of memory." (pg. 124)

  8. The Effects on Young Latino Males • Cuadros`s purpose of writing these poems is to show how young Latino men are portrayed • He shows the many different aspects of being affected with AIDS and/or being a homosexual male in a culture where religion and family is very important to ones being. • The troubles faced when these men can`t tell their family or anyone else for that matter that they are infected with AIDS because of the fear of not being a part of their family.

  9. The Familial Roots of Queer Desire • “The characters thus struggle not just with their illnesses but also with their search for a sense of place and belonging when the social conditions they encounter preclude a home for the queer mestizo body” (156) • In what stories were we able to see the characters struggles and do you think that individuals in society still struggle with finding a home for the queer mestizo body?

  10. “As illness ravages the physical body and homophobia leads to a social and familial rejection of the queer mestizo, the charters undergo a metamorphosis” • What are the main reasons gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are ostracized from society? • How does the belief that AIDS originated from gay men affect our societies perception of gays?

  11. Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfct4veZ8c • How are we able to see the LGBT Latino stories portrayed in the book The City of God? • The Latino community is extremely close with their families, do you believe that many Latinos and Latinas don’t show their true identity because of the fear of losing them?

  12. Love • “Love is spelled the same way whether your gay, straight or lesbian” • What do you believe was the main purpose for the author of City of God to write the book?

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