Topic Defence Seminar by Ms Ng Wing Yan

Title: From Sworn Sisters to Lesbian Lovers: Discursive Change of Female Same Sex Desire in Colonial Hong Kong Chinese Newspapers, 1874–1969

Presenter: Ms NG Wing Yan (MPhil Student)

Chief Supervisor: Prof TANG Tse Shang Denise

Co-supervisor: Prof SHIN Kei-wah Victor

Abstract:

This research adopts discourse historical approach to examine how Chinese-language newspapers published in colonial Hong Kong between 1874 and 1969 constructed possible female same-sex desires as subject that could be named, narrated, judged, regulated in public discourse, and at times, left unspoken. It traces how newspapers used regional custom like sworn sisterhood, self-comb and resistance to marriage, alongside with moral danger, tragedy, same sex love, abnormality in psychiatry and related terms, in changing relations to family, marriage, labour, law enforcement, sexology, public hygiene, education, and political order during different historical times. 
 

All are welcome!

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions ([email protected] or 2616 7469).