EMPATHETIC MASCULINITY: The Raced Gender Order Among Male Latino Evangelicals in the Southern Baptist Convention

• In Event: 30854 - Religious Identities, Displays, and Meanings

Abstract

In studies of evangelicalism and gender, scholars have largely focused on white evangelicalism, characterized by hegemonic, patriarchal leadership rooted in a mid-20th century revitalized evangelical identity that reinforced gender traditionalism and white supremacy. The growing presence of Latino evangelicals is one of the most significant religious trends, challenging traditional narratives in evangelicalism. Research on the intersection of masculine expression and racial dynamics as perceived by Latino men remains understudied. This paper explores two questions: how do Latino evangelical pastors understand and reinforce gender roles within their ministries, considering their cultural identity and denominational context? Additionally, how do racial dynamics shape the way Latino evangelical pastors perceive and respond to gender dynamics in their congregations? The findings of this study reveal three ways Latino pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) renegotiate gender dynamics: 1) expressing ‘soft’ complementarianism; 2) reconceptualizing Christ’s masculinity; and 3) reworking machismo and emotional expression. These patterns reflect a broader shift toward what this paper terms empathetic masculinity, in which Latino pastors both reinforce and renegotiate traditional gender hierarchies, embracing emotional vulnerability, and transforming cultural expressions.

Author

• Andrea Feliz Garcia-Borbón, University of California-San Diego