Narrating the trope of abnormality: The making of closeted experiences in gay public cruising

‘Hidden identities’: perceptions of sexual identity in Beijing

“…Neilands et al () argue China's ‘Family Planning Policy’ (1978, 1980), also known as the ‘one‐child policy’, is one government regulation that has been instrumental in motivating Chinese LGB people to hide their sexual identity. Enforced at the provincial level, the family planning policy was originally imposed as a population control policy, and until 2013, it was strictly implemented and widely supported by the majority of Chinese people (Qian ). Gerkin () argues in a culture where family tradition and family values are highly respected, the pressure placed on Chinese people to marry is high, and because of legislation such as the family planning policy, Chinese LGBT people feel overly compelled to marry into heterosexual relationships (and hide their sexual orientation) since cultural, social, and familial necessities dictate the need for reproduction.…”

“…Although private spaces exist where Chinese LGB people can be open about their sexuality, there is still considerable anxiety about the public openness of sexualities which are often considered sexually loose and promiscuous by mainstream Chinese society (Qian ). Yu et al () argue this causes Chinese LGBT people to hide their sexual activities, which can have wider repercussions for heterosexual society regarding the reporting and identifying of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.…”

“…Although private spaces exist where Chinese LGB people can be open about their sexuality, there is still considerable anxiety about the public openness of sexualities which are often considered sexually loose and promiscuous by mainstream Chinese society (Qian 2014). Yu et al (2011)…”

“…As Chinese culture interrelates with other cultures which foster self‐independence and the acquisition of individual desires as a means of constructing a sense of self, it may be that some LGB individuals will be able to separate their sense of identity from the cultural expectations of identity. Yet research by Wei () and Qian () found it is essentially the notion of stable nuclear families (validated by China's socialist Party‐State), which also excludes and silences the expression of non‐heterosexual identities. This idea is underpinned by traditional gender roles for men and women and upheld by traditional culture and practices, and the lack of public discourse about LGBT sexuality in contemporary Chinese society.…”

“…In many cultures certain kinds of stigma can have devastating consequences, including social rejection and persecution. Qian () argues that many Chinese lesbian and gay people fear the public visibility of their homosexuality. As such, Chinese lesbian and gay people fear being tainted as unrespectable and having to carry the shame and stigma associated with a socially perceived negative sexuality such as homosexuality, and it is this fear which increases the likelihood that a Chinese lesbian or gay person will hide their sexual identity and not be open about their lives (Qian ).…”