What is the significance of "painted nails" in the novel, The Wrong End of the Telescope?

Painted nails represent displays of queerness or femininity. The novel explores various ways in which gay men can perform queerness in order to yield to masculine power and be considered less of a threat. This is exemplified in the writer’s discovery that he is less likely to be scrutinized as a possible terrorist by American Homeland Security with his nails painted. As Mina comments, “Building any kind of explosive device would ruin your manicure” (196).