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Desexualizing Sexual Identity Politics: The Framing of Pro-LGBT Christian Organizations in Hong Kong

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Abstract

When there is resistance, there is power. LGBT-rights activists have been known for creating new identity boundaries and inequalities in their way to normalizing gay people and lesbians. While identity politics is deemed to be a dead-end, this study examines the organizational framing of three pro-LGBT religious groups in Hong Kong, exploring how they strive for an inclusive membership which welcomes diverse social minorities. Drawing on qualitative data from 154 h of participant observation and 18 in-depth interviews, this study depicts how the organizations make use of the common belief of their members to construct an inclusive community. Furthermore, their religious background has granted them financial independence from the non-LGBT civil society, hence allowing them to stand unassimilated to heteronormativity. Past studies on LGBT advocacy have been focused on political groups or activists who are rich in political resources but neglecting the non-political organizations in the civil society. Yet, the pro-LGBT religious organizations in this study demonstrate how their non-political commonality can strategically contribute to the pursuit of equality. It is hoped that the framing experience of these organizations can provide insights into the future path of LGBT identity politics.

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Acknowledgement

Without the support and guidance of Prof. Susanne Yuk-ping Choi from Department of Sociology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, I would not have finished this study. I am also deeply indebted to my interviewees and every lovely face I met in the field for their help and kindness.

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Correspondence to Pui-man Chan.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution under supervision and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendment or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Chan, Pm. Desexualizing Sexual Identity Politics: The Framing of Pro-LGBT Christian Organizations in Hong Kong. Sexuality & Culture 22, 1452–1465 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-018-9537-z

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