Chinese social media representation of Taiwanese legalisation of same-sex marriage : a queer analysis of the Weibo discussion : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Journalism at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
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2023
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Massey University
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Abstract
Taiwanese Judicial Ruling on Same-sex Marriage which announced prohibition of same-sex marriage unconstitutional on 24th, May 2017 has caused interesting responses on social media in Mainland China. This research investigates how legalisation of same-sex marriage legalisation as well as gender and sexual identities were both represented on Chinese Mainland’s social media in the event of Taiwanese legalisation of same-sex marriage from a queer-theory-based perspective with attention to the complexities of sexual citizenship rights as well as exclusions in globalisation. Previous scholarship in non-Western social media public spheres and in LGBT and queer representation often left out such local complexities and global disparity. User generated content on Weibo during this time when Taiwanese attempted to achieve marriage equality was collected by a computer programme. A mixed-method research design was applied. Quantitative and qualitative content analysis as well as semi-structured interviews were conducted. The research contributed to the knowledge about social media representations of gender and sexual identities and of same-sex marriage in relation to global and local complexities in a non-Western Chinese Mainland context. The limitations in the Mainland social media public spheres led to a mostly one-sided supportive opinion expressions about Taiwanese legalisation of same-sex marriage. Identities were analysed at their intersections. The heteronormative stereotyping and assumptions as well as homonormative depoliticisation were found in the representations of gender and sexual identities. The findings show the influences of globalisation, especially the global LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) movement. Also, the studied Weibo discussion found to reflect the Chinese Mainland context in locally concerned issues such as marriage, identities’ disclosure and queer visibility. The study suggests the universalised content of sexual citizenship has harmed local persons’ agency in collective innovation of localised activism on social media public spheres in non-Western context. Future communication studies can confront and examine heteronormativity more directly by investigating the heteronormativity and its manifestations including family ideals across cultures, especially in non-Western contexts, to help the development of localised strategies for inclusion.
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Same-sex marriage, Taiwan, Social media, Gender identity, Sexual orientation, China, Weibo