Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.24> Article
Research Article

The Impact of Censorship of LGBTQ Content on Xiaohongshu on Queer Expression

Erjia DaiThe Royal School Jiaqi XuUlink College* Hengyi ZhouAdcote School Shanghai

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

This essay delves into the impact that the censorship of LGBTQ content on Xiaohongshu can have on the expression of queer individuals. This research conducted an analysis of the censorship mechanism of Xiaohongshu, collected tags commonly used by LGBTQ users, and proceeded to analyze the data. Subsequently, the examination of the connection between the causes and effects of the adjustments made at the societal level is done, as well as the stereotypes surrounding the LGBTQ community. Tumblr is being used as an example of how it can help LGBTQ members to find their identity, find peers and friends, and locate communities. All in all, it is concluded that LGBTQ members’ attempts to pass censorship can facilitate engagement with the public, which may dispel stereotypes. However, it is essential to acknowledge that these adjustments may also inadvertently create new stereotypes.

Keywords: LGBTQ; queer expression; censorship mechanism; hashtags; stereotype
Published: January 3, 2024
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/24/20231511
Volume: CHR Vol.24
pp. 93-99
Download PDF

References

  1. China Digital Times. Disposal Process and System of Public Opinion Monitoring. July 14, 2022. Retrieved on July 28, 2023. Retrieved from: https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/684280.html.
  2. Yang, Y. Bargaining with The State: the Empowerment of Chinese Sexual Minorities/LGBT in The Social Media Era. Journal of Contemporary China, 28(118), 662–677 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2018.1557943.
  3. Tu, J.-W., & Lee, T.-T. The Effects of Media Usage and Interpersonal Contacts on the Stereotyping of Lesbians and Gay Men in China. Journal of Homosexuality, 61(7), 980–1002(2014). https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2014.871904.
  4. Hillman, S., Procyk, J., & Neustaedter, C. Tumblr fandoms, Community & Culture. Proceedings of the Companion Publication of the 17th ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing. (2014). https://doi.org/10.1145/2556420.2557634
  5. Byron, P., Robards, B., Hanckel, B., Vivienne, S., & Churchill, B. "Hey, I'm Having These Experiences": Tumblr Use and Young People's Queer (Dis)connections. International Journal of Communication, 13, 2239-2259 (2019). https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/9677/2655
  6. Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior. Political Psychology, 276–293 (2004). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203505984-16
  7. Allport, G. W. The Nature of Prejudice. ADDISON-WILEY PUBL (1954).
  8. Wang, Y., Hu, Z., Peng, K., Rechdan, J., Yang, Y., Wu, L., Xin, Y., Lin, J., Duan, Z., Zhu, X., Feng, Y., Chen, S., Ou, J., & Chen, R. Mapping Out a Spectrum of the Chinese Public’s Discrimination Toward the LGBT Community: Results from a National Survey. BMC Public Health, 20, 699 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08834-y
  9. Legge, J. The Chinese Classics: Vol. 1: Confucian analects, the Great Learning, and the Doctrine of the Mean. Southern Materials Center. (1985).
  10. Yang, S. Stereotypes Created Within the LGBT Community on Social Media and Its Infect on Mainstream Society. Proceedings of the 2022 3rd International Conference on Mental Health, Education and Human Development (MHEHD 2022). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220704.215