In many traditional societies around the world, people express their sexuality in ways that are different from those in Western countries.
In Japan, same-sex behavior was accepted and even celebrated during certain festivals for centuries before it was banned under pressure from Christian missionaries in the early modern era. In China, homosexuality has been recorded since ancient times, but its expression was often limited to artistic or literary forms rather than direct action. Even in modern times, there have been stories of closeted gay men in Beijing meeting up at parks in secret. In contrast, private expressions of queerness were more common in North America and Europe, where surveillance was less prevalent and public displays were often punished.
This does not mean that private expressions of queerness were entirely safe or without consequences - gay bars were raided by police for decades, and LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination in housing and employment today. This essay will examine the significance of private versus public expressions of queerness in collectivist or surveillance-heavy societies like Japan and China. It will consider how these expressions reflect historical attitudes toward homosexuality, current social norms, and the role of technology in changing them.
In Japan, queerness is often expressed privately due to the emphasis on group harmony and social conformity. Same-sex relationships are rare, and public displays of affection are frowned upon regardless of gender or orientation. As a result, most couples do not hold hands, hug, or kiss in public places. Instead, they save their intimacy for home or designated areas within public spaces such as love hotels. Private expressions of queerness are also evident in media like manga and anime, which depict same-sex relationships in graphic detail. These works offer a window into a society where same-sex desire cannot be openly discussed but can still be explored through fantasy. The government has recently been working to legalize same-sex marriage, though it is unclear if this will lead to a change in public attitudes.
In China, there is more acceptance of same-sex behavior than in some other Asian countries, but public displays of romantic affection remain taboo.
Online platforms have created new opportunities for expression that were unthinkable before the internet era. Many gay men use apps like Blued and Grindr to meet up with each other without fear of discovery by family or friends. This has led to a vibrant gay scene in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, despite the risk of police raids and discrimination from employers. Some activists argue that online platforms should not replace real-world community building, but others see them as necessary until conditions improve for LGBTQ+ people.
Private expressions of queerness are becoming more common in China due to increased connectivity, while public ones may become safer over time with greater social acceptance and legal protections.
What is the significance of private versus public expressions of queerness in collectivist or surveillance-heavy societies?
In collectivist societies, where there is an emphasis on family and community, individuals may feel pressure to conform to certain gender roles and sexual norms to maintain social status and acceptance within their group. Private expressions of queerness can be seen as disruptive to these traditional values and may lead to negative consequences for the individual's wellbeing, such as exclusion from social groups or even physical harm.