The Politics of LGBTQ+ in Malaysia : a Case of Self-Disclosure on Identified Social Media

Oon, Jin Xuan (2024) The Politics of LGBTQ+ in Malaysia : a Case of Self-Disclosure on Identified Social Media. Masters thesis, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Identity is a fascinating subject matter — how individuals construct, make sense of, sustain or defend and negotiate what they understand to be their “selves.” Identity, however, is not a sole individual matter; it is entangled with social expectations and to some extent, state intervention. Stuart Hall’s articulation theory is the framework to understand how identities are managed through both personal and societal levels. LGBTQ+ is a group that professes their gender and sexuality different from those dominant or socially acceptable ones. Despite progress in some regions, LGBTQ+ continue to face discrimination and criminalisation in many parts of the world, including Malaysia — both offline and online. Hence, identity is an arena of cultural process amidst the dominant ideology reinforced by religion, politics, media, and laws. This research studies the motives of Malaysian LGBTQ+ who disclosed their identities on identified social media, a platform where a user’s real-life identity is made known. In this case, such disclosure potentially exposes LGBTQ+ to risks such as penalisation and targeted hate. This research explores the lived experiences of six Malaysian LGBTQ+ through a biographical case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with them and analysed using thematic analysis. Most interviewees aspired to be a source of representation for LGBTQ+ Malaysians. In addition to self-expression, two interviewees utilised the platform for activism. Three observed some risks with their disclosure but are still motivated to disclose their identity for the betterment of the LGBTQ+ community. Although social background provided advantages to the interviewees’ process of “coming out,” they admitted that agency is crucial in elevating the journey of identity to social movement. Some also observed the ugly side of LGBTQ+ in terms of over-labelling, commercialisation and internalised queerphobia. The interviewees’ motives and activities show that they challenged the dominant ideology by instilling positive or normalised meanings into LGBTQ+ identities. It is an articulation between expression, representation and empowerment. The findings are discussed in reference to the question of determination in human behaviour by bridging cultural studies and political economy. Besides addressing the gap in studying Malaysian LGBTQ+ and identified social media, this research aimed to approach LGBTQ+ as social individuals instead of “active” users or audiences per se. Through LGBTQ+ lived experiences and motives of disclosure, this thesis contributes to a conceptual understanding of the dynamics between agency, structure and identity politics.