Making a Queer Eco-Village in Rural China

• In Event: Gender and Place

Abstract

This study examines an emerging queer eco-village initiative in rural China, exploring the intersection of queer migration, queer ecology, and place-making in the context of authoritarian regimes. While the Chinese state has become increasingly hostile to queer people, this queer village presents a unique case of how queer individuals are actively constructing a safe space away from the urban cities, while simultaneously engaging with alternative ecological practices. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 15 participants, this paper analyzes the motivations behind their rural migration, the challenges encountered in establishing a queer-inclusive ecological community, and the broader implications for queer lived experiences and environmental sustainability in China.

Author

• (Leo) Kin Chong Chao, University of Wisconsin-Madison