Conditional Spaces: Hong Kong Lesbian Desires and Everyday Life

by Denise Tse-Shang Tang

Dense living conditions in Hong Kong do not provide much privacy for lesbians and other sexual minorities living with their families. As a result, lesbians often locate alternative spaces to develop support networks with other women. Others reject the notion of lesbian spaces and instead assert their visibility in different aspects of everyday life. Based on life history interviews with several dozen lesbians living in Hong Kong, this book maps the complex relations between personal subjectivities and spatialities as they emerge and interact with various social justice movements and alternative communities.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[willowdog]

The interrelationship of urban density, regulatory issues, political and cultural organizations, social justice issues and the state's emphasis on capitalism and prosperity are looked at as how they define lesbian life in Hong Kong in this thesis which utilizes interviews with 30 individuals who have same-sex desires. Not a favorite--much of the premise could be generalized to a number of cities--London, New York. I guess the originality of this is the post colonial aspect of Hong Kong and it's peculiar transition and government which is now being influenced by the religious right and the new relationship with the mainland.

[Ira Therebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty much a study made based on interviews with 30 lesbians in Hong Kong. It talks about how the density of Hong Kong has an influence on the lives of lesbian population and the alternative spaces they create for themselves.
A very specific book, and it is also very well organized. We have 5 chapters that talk about different type of spaces in great detail. The author also gives us a little of general perspective on queer culture and rights in Hong Kong, just enough to have enough understanding for this book. Very ell ritten and gives one some new perspectives.