Date of Graduation

Spring 5-18-2019

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies (MAPS)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Asia Pacific Studies

First Advisor

Brian Komei Dempster

Second Advisor

Josh Friedman

Abstract

Due to Chinese traditions, certain living environments are not friendly towards the LGBT community in China, who experience immense pressure to keep silent in society. They often are discriminated against, and in the case of most, their families do not support them. It is difficult to have healthy self-identification for sexual minorities. Besides cultural and family pressure, and representation in media, the current legal framework and society are unfriendly to this community. There is no legislation on homosexuality in China at present, and China does not make any clear provisions on homosexual marriage.

In this environment, most LGBT people are not willing to disclose their identity or situation to other people. Some LGBTs enter fake marriages. Some in fake marriages cheat on their wives about their sexual orientation, and their wives cannot live in a regular marriage.

However, in recent years, the environment has become more flexible. Due to education and the Internet, the new generation is changing its attitude to the LGBT group, and more and more sexual minorities are trying to come out.

Based on these changing conditions, there is a potential developing market, named the pink economy, which is the economy produced by the LGBT population. As the LGBT community grows, the pink economy has emerged, offering Internet social platforms, homosexual bars, and specific travel programs for the group. The pink economy greatly enhances the visibility of the LGBT community and attempts to use the power of commerce to increase public acceptance to the LGBT people.

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