Mapping heteronormativity as state violence: the experience of gay men and lesbians in contemporary China and its implication for social work practice

ABSTRACT

Gay men and lesbians in contemporary China face multiple forms of marginalisation and discrimination. However, little is known about how heteronormativity works to regulate the everyday lives of sexual minorities. Using narratives collected through in-depth interviews, we map out how heteronormativity is both simultaneously institutionalised by the state in China to maintain heterosexist dominance and is enforced through everyday social interactions that compel gay men and lesbians to conform to a heterosexual life. It is precisely this institutionally supported everyday enforcement that makes it impossible for gay men and lesbians in China to escape from heterosexist regulations. Understanding how heteronormativity works to produce heterosexist dominance is essential for social workers to effectively challenge it.

在当代中国, 同志群体面临着多种形式的边缘化和歧视问题。但是, 鲜有研究探索异性恋规范是如何调整和规范性少数群体的日常生活。通过深度访谈获取的叙事资料, 本文作者分析了异性恋规范是如何在中国被制度化为主导性力量, 并同时在日常社会互动得以强化使同志群体不得不顺从于异性恋生活。这种在日常生活中无处不在的制度化强制力使得同志群体难以从异性恋规制中摆脱。了解异性恋规范如何产生异性恋主导对于社会工作者更好地服务同志群体和社会来说至关重要。

KEYWORDS:

• Heteronormativity
• structural violence
• homosexuality
• marginalisation
• China

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Tie fan wan in Chinese refers to a position in a state-owned enterprise that ensures a job for life.