History in the Making
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This project’s aim is to analyze the various ways in which the internet has influenced the Chinese LGBTQ+ community. The Chinese government has created an immense censorship over the community and any accompanying terms, therefore leading to their discrimination and marginalization within Chinese society. How has queer representation changed in China since the decriminalization of homosexuality? How has the internet affected the public perception of the LGBTQ+ community? What role does censorship play in the shaping of public perception of queer identities? How has westernization and globalization affected the attitudes towards queer identities? This work engages with the existing scholarship in the fields of queer studies and modern Chinese history in order to examine the way that online culture influences public perceptions of queer identities while also serving as a crucial resource to the community. This piece will use sources that examine popular media portrayals of queer relationships, government censorship policies, and cultural analysis of online communities. One major aspect of this research will be on popular queer-coded media such as danmei (boys’ love) that has managed to evade the government censor yet encourages hypersexualization of homosexual relationships, therefore influencing public perception of queerness. This author seeks to understand how the queer community navigates a culture where they feel it prudent to hide their identities while simultaneously finding a sense of community through the internet. Through the exploration of the LGBTQ+ internet communities, the intent of this research is to contribute to a broader understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences within contemporary Chinese society.
Recommended Citation
Collasco, Samantha
(2026)
"The Impact of Technology on the Chinese Queer Community,"
History in the Making: Vol. 19, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/history-in-the-making/vol19/iss1/7