Cliquer sur une vignette pour aller sur Google Books.
Chargement... Tongzhi: Politics of Same-Sex Eroticism in Chinese Societiespar Edmond J Coleman
Aucun Chargement...
Inscrivez-vous à LibraryThing pour découvrir si vous aimerez ce livre Actuellement, il n'y a pas de discussions au sujet de ce livre. aucune critique | ajouter une critique
Tongzhi: Politics of Same-Sex Eroticism in Chinese Societies examines Chinese societies where the family-kinship system, rather than sexuality, is taken as the basis of an individual's identity. With Tongzhi, you will come to understand the variations of same-sex erotica in different Chinese societies. Examining past and present treatment of the subject, including instances of discrimination against homosexuals, Tongzhi explores same-sex eroticism in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and explains the variations of categories and experiences of tongzhi in these countries. Just what is Tongzhi? Tongzhi is the most popular contemporary Chinese word for lesbians, bisexuals, and gay people. The word, which has very positive historical references, was a Chinese translation from the Soviet communist term comrade. It was appropriated by a Hong Kong gay activist in 1989 for the first Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in Hong Kong by its organizers, who wanted to employ an indigenous representation of same-sex eroticism. The term 'homosexual'was inappropriate because of its use as a medical term denoting sickness and pathology. Within a few years, tongzhi became a widely used term in Hong Kong and Taiwan and is often used interchangeably with the English term gay. But terms such as gay, lesbian, and queer are Anglo-Saxon in origin, with specific histories that cannot capture the indigenous features of Chinese same-sex relationships. Tongzhi implies and includes much more. S/Mers, transvestites, and other fetishists who are members of the Chinese sexual counterculture who may be quite heterosexual are also tongzhi. And the term has meaning beyond the sexual: it embodies a strong sentiment for integrating the sexual (legitimizing same-sex love), the political (sharing the goals of fighting heterosexism) and the cultural (reappropriating their Chinese identity). Tongzhi brings you fascinating insight into: the history of same-sex eroticism in China coming out in Chinese society how colonialism has affected sexual nonconformists in this region racial and sexual dynamics in Colonial Hong Kong the cultural politics of being a tomboy/girl in modern Hong Kong "queering the mainstream" with tongzhi identity politics sexual/cultural diversities and differences among contemporary Chinese societies . . . and much more! Tongzhi shows how culture influences identity and demonstrates how you can develop relevant strategies for successful activist movements. Discussing political movements for gay/lesbian/bisexual rights and the societal implications of same-sex eroticism, this intelligent book provides you with a clear understanding of the attitudes toward and meanings of being tongzhi today. Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque |
Discussion en coursAucun
Google Books — Chargement... GenresClassification décimale de Melvil (CDD)306.7660951Social sciences Social Sciences; Sociology and anthropology Culture and Institutions Relations between the sexes, sexualities, love Sexual orientation, gender identity Homosexuality Biography And History Asia China & KoreaClassification de la Bibliothèque du CongrèsÉvaluationMoyenne:
Est-ce vous ?Devenez un(e) auteur LibraryThing. |
The most interesting aspect is his comparison of self-identification of gays in China versus the west, particularly America. There is not the conceptual dichotomy in China of being gay or not gay. Instead there is the idea that someone may have attraction to someone of the same sex and may act on it on a regular basis, but it is culturally acceptable as long as they do not flaunt it and it does not interfere with societal responsibilities, which generally means marriage and children. Sexual orientation is not the primary means of self-identification, but it is one aspect of that self-identification. The Chinese word for homosexual is not used to describe someone but describes homosexual activity. "Tongzhi" does not describe someone who is "out", but someone who finds people of the same sex attractive. When actually wanting to call someone a homosexual (which usually means a more active gay lifestyle), Chinese usually use the term "gay" because their own culture does not used that identification.
This is a complex work, signifying the difficulty of analyzing this subject in an entire country, much less including the related cultures of Hong Kong and Taiwan. In larger cities with large western populations, there is sometimes a gay community, but there is very little incentive to "come out". There are still problems for Chinese who get caught (blackmail by police is not uncommon) so most try to stay hidden from public and family view, often with the family's tacit consent.
This is a very interesting book, and not just for people interested in China. By examining homosexuality in China, Chou also illuminates and challenges some of the assumption on homosexuality in other cultures, particularly the United States. ( )