Queering Asian cultures

Abstract

Queer Asian studies emerged from a need to study non-normative genders and sexualities amidst discussions of transnationalism and the globalization of sexualities. In particular, it fills in a gap within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer studies by focusing on marginalized sexual subjectivities affected by race, ethnicity, immigration and citizenship. Major recent debates in the field of queer Asian studies include the contested usage of the term 'queer' and the application of 'queer theory' as an analytical framework, the call for intraregional dialogues within Asia and the discussion of normativity as a counter-analytical framework to understand sexual cultures. Two developing trends can be identified as in growing numbers of research studies on everyday lives that extends beyond sexual identification categories, and pedagogical concerns with teaching sexuality and queer studies in the classroom. © 2011 The Author. Sociology Compass © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.