Description
Book SynopsisIn
Sexuality and the Rise of China Travis S. K. Kong examines the changing meanings of same-sex identities, communities, and cultures for young Chinese gay men in contemporary Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China. Drawing on ninety life stories, Kong’s transnational queer sociological approach shows the complex interplay between personal biography and the dramatically changing social institutions in these three societies. Kong conceptualizes coming out as relational politics and the queer/
tongzhi community and commons as an affective, imaginative means of connecting, governed by homonormative masculinity. He shows how monogamy is a form of cruel optimism and envisions state and sexuality intertwining in different versions of homonationalism in each location. Tracing the alternately diverging and converging paths of being young, 'Chinese,' gay, and male, Kong reveals how both Western and emerging inter- and intra- Asian queer cultures shape queer/
tongzhi expe
Trade Review“Challenging the teleological trajectory of the sexual emancipation model through sociological analysis and compelling storytelling,
Sexuality and the Rise of China argues that assessments of social openness cannot reveal the full complexities of inter-Asian constructions of queer lives. Travis S. K. Kong is particularly insightful in demonstrating how the intertwining of the state, politics, and sexuality leads to some unexpected findings about the acceptance or repression of gay rights.” -- Lisa Rofel, author of * Desiring China: Experiments in Neoliberalism, Sexuality, and Public Culture *
"The combination of ethnographic detail and nuanced analysis make
Sexuality and the Rise of China a fascinating, compelling and highly readable account of the social shaping of tongzhi lives." -- Stevi Jackson * Asian Anthropology *
"The transnational queer sociology approach used in this study has resulted in a detailed and revealing account of how the post-90s gay generation in Greater China are negotiating their lives, relationships, and identities under the sway of rapid socio-economic and political change. In addition, the study offers a set of innovative and instructive theoretical and methodological ways forward, ones that are locally or regionally sensitive, to research the sociopolitical dimensions of sexuality beyond dominant Western paradigms and sensibilities. Thus, for anyone with research interests in sexuality issues in Greater China and other Asian regions, Kong’s book will become foundational reading. Finally, and in the spirit of transdisciplinarity, the book will provide those of us who are working on queer issues from other backgrounds (for example, in language/discourse studies, anthropology, education studies, or social work) much inspiration."
-- Benedict J.L. Rowlett * Journal of Homosexuality *
"For anyone working on sexual cultures in East Asia and beyond, this book is essential reading. Its readability and clarity, and profoundly personal style of writing, without compromising on theoretical depth, also make it highly recommended for teaching purposes." -- Jeroen de Kloet * China Information *
Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations ix
Note on Romanization xi
Preface and Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction 1
1. Queering Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China 26
2. Coming Out as Relational Politics 62
3.
Tongzhi Commons, Community, and Collectivity 86
4. Love and Sex as Cruel Optimism 108
5. Homosexuality, Homonationalism, and Homonormativity 130
Conclusion 155
Glossary 173
Notes 175
Works Cited 193
Index 223
