Can Queer Movements in Conservative Asian Societies Redefine Resistance Without Western Frameworks?
Sexuality is a universal human experience that transcends cultural boundaries and historical contexts.
Its expression varies widely across time and space. In many parts of Asia, including India, Pakistan, China, Japan, and Thailand, heteronormativity remains deeply entrenched within social norms. While homosexuality and bisexuality are still taboo, there have been efforts to challenge these ideas through queer movements. These movements, however, often borrow from Western frameworks that prioritize individual rights and autonomy. Can they redefine resistance without those same frameworks? This essay will explore this question by examining the history of queer activism in conservative Asian societies and how it relates to broader struggles for liberation.
Queer Movements in Asia
In Asia, queer movements have historically focused on legal reform and protecting individuals against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
In India, the Naz Foundation International Trust filed a public interest lawsuit in 2001 challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized same-sex relationships. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of decriminalization in 2009. Similarly, in 2004, the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRC) launched a campaign called "Rights for All" in Taiwan to advocate for marriage equality and adoption rights for LGBTQ+ couples. This resulted in amendments to Taiwan's Civil Code in 2019 allowing same-sex marriages.
Although these achievements are significant, critics argue that they reinforce Western ideologies of personal freedom while ignoring larger structural issues.
While same-sex marriage is now recognized in some parts of Asia, heterosexual marriage remains privileged under state policy.
Many queer activists focus solely on securing rights for themselves rather than addressing systemic oppression faced by other marginalized groups such as transgender people, sex workers, and migrants. As a result, queer movements may perpetuate white supremacist and capitalist logics that prioritize individualism over collective struggle.
Redefining Resistance
To redefine resistance without Western frameworks, queer activists can draw from Asian histories of social change.
In Thailand, there has been a long tradition of gender fluidity dating back to Buddhist teachings about karma. In Japan, samurai warriors were expected to engage in homoerotic rituals to cultivate strength and camaraderie. These traditions challenged societal norms around gender roles and sexual orientation, creating spaces for nonconformity. Activists can learn from this history and develop new forms of resistance rooted in local cultures and experiences.
Another approach is to connect queer struggles with broader liberation efforts.
Indian feminists have long argued that patriarchy, not just heteronormativity, creates barriers to women's autonomy. They advocate for sexual education, birth control access, and economic opportunities alongside LGBTQ+ rights. Similarly, Chinese labor organizers have called for equal pay and safety standards across industries while also demanding workplace protections for LGBTQ+ employees. By linking their causes with those of others, queer activists can build solidarity and challenge power structures at the root.
Challenges
Queer movements face many obstacles in conservative Asian societies. Family pressure, religious fundamentalism, and state repression are common.
Some countries criminalize same-sex relationships or ban LGBTQ+ organizations altogether. Nevertheless, activists continue to organize despite these hurdles through online platforms, community groups, and artistic expression. They have made significant progress in recent years but must continue to reimagine what resistance means without Western frameworks.
Queer movements in Asia can redefine resistance by drawing on local histories and connecting their struggles to broader social justice movements. This requires challenging Western ideologies of individualism and working towards collective liberation. By doing so, they can create a more inclusive future where all people can live freely and authentically.
Can queer movements in conservative Asian societies redefine resistance without Western frameworks?
Queer movements in conservative Asian societies can redefine resistance by challenging heteronormative assumptions within their context and developing new strategies that are appropriate for their specific situations. Instead of adopting the Western framework, they should focus on building solidarity with other marginalized groups, such as feminists and anti-racist activists, while also working towards decolonization and self-determination.