Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility
Asian Masculinity in a World Made for Whiteness
Will be published approx. on 22. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-997702-17-7 (ISBN)
Description
A deeply personal, provocative portrait of how race, culture and sexuality intersect to reshape what it means to be an Asian man in North America today.
What does it mean to be an Asian man in North America? In this timely and insightful memoir, Ryan Cho unpacks ideas about masculinity and Asian men in a world of stereotypes and social expectations. Drawing from his own experiences and interviews with other Asian men and nonbinary people, Cho explores how culture, sexuality and race combine to influence identity. Along the way, he meets people redefining what masculinity means to them and discusses what we can do to steward a version of masculinity that is inclusive, progressive and authentic.
Candid, challenging and personal, Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility invites readers to question the roles Asian men have been "allowed" to play and to imagine broader and more nuanced ways of thinking about masculinity and men.
What does it mean to be an Asian man in North America? In this timely and insightful memoir, Ryan Cho unpacks ideas about masculinity and Asian men in a world of stereotypes and social expectations. Drawing from his own experiences and interviews with other Asian men and nonbinary people, Cho explores how culture, sexuality and race combine to influence identity. Along the way, he meets people redefining what masculinity means to them and discusses what we can do to steward a version of masculinity that is inclusive, progressive and authentic.
Candid, challenging and personal, Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility invites readers to question the roles Asian men have been "allowed" to play and to imagine broader and more nuanced ways of thinking about masculinity and men.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Canada
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
227 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-997702-17-7 (9781997702177)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Ryan Cho (he/him) is a second-generation Chinese-Canadian teacher and writer based in Vancouver, BC. He has a background in gender, anti-racism and environmental justice work, and in 2018, was recognized for his contribution to social justice education with the B.C. Premier's Award for Excellence in Education.
Rahim Thawer (he/him) is a registered social worker and psychotherapist from Toronto. He is a faculty member in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama, and his work sits at the intersection of mental health, social justice, and psychoanalysis, exploring how anti-racist and queer-affirming frameworks can support social workers, therapists-in-training, and organizational leaders. His workshops and consultations foster dialogue on systemic oppression, sexual health, clinical interventions, and innovation in queer relationships. He explores many of these topics at thepoliticizedpractitioner.com. Rahim is the co-editor of Any Other Way: How Toronto Got Queer (Coach House Books, 2017) and the author of The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys (New Harbinger Publications, 2025).
Rahim Thawer (he/him) is a registered social worker and psychotherapist from Toronto. He is a faculty member in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama, and his work sits at the intersection of mental health, social justice, and psychoanalysis, exploring how anti-racist and queer-affirming frameworks can support social workers, therapists-in-training, and organizational leaders. His workshops and consultations foster dialogue on systemic oppression, sexual health, clinical interventions, and innovation in queer relationships. He explores many of these topics at thepoliticizedpractitioner.com. Rahim is the co-editor of Any Other Way: How Toronto Got Queer (Coach House Books, 2017) and the author of The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys (New Harbinger Publications, 2025).
Content
Foreword
Preface
Part I. The Landscape
Chapter 1. Bamboo Among the Pines
Chapter 2. Men's Vulnerability and Community
Chapter 3. Diversity Can Be a Strength
Part II. Lost
Chapter 4. In Between
Chapter 5. Conditional Belonging
Chapter 6. Work and Achievement
Chapter 7. Distress and Depression
Part III. Found
Chapter 8. Healing and Post-Traumatic Growth
Chapter 9. Rethinking Our Assumptions About Sex, Relationships and Attraction
Chapter 10. Asian Masculine Queer and Trans Identities
Chapter 11. Fatherhood and Family
Chapter 12. Representation and Role Models
Chapter 13. Imagining Something Different
Acknowledgements
References
Asian Fatherhood Interview Questions
Asian Masculine Queer and Trans Interview Questions
Index
Preface
Part I. The Landscape
Chapter 1. Bamboo Among the Pines
Chapter 2. Men's Vulnerability and Community
Chapter 3. Diversity Can Be a Strength
Part II. Lost
Chapter 4. In Between
Chapter 5. Conditional Belonging
Chapter 6. Work and Achievement
Chapter 7. Distress and Depression
Part III. Found
Chapter 8. Healing and Post-Traumatic Growth
Chapter 9. Rethinking Our Assumptions About Sex, Relationships and Attraction
Chapter 10. Asian Masculine Queer and Trans Identities
Chapter 11. Fatherhood and Family
Chapter 12. Representation and Role Models
Chapter 13. Imagining Something Different
Acknowledgements
References
Asian Fatherhood Interview Questions
Asian Masculine Queer and Trans Interview Questions
Index