Campus Connection

Speaker to discuss gender and sexuality issues in Chinese culture

Cultural norms surrounding issues of gender and sexuality in China are changing. Wei Wei, a professor at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China, will discuss this trend during two presentations Monday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 4 at UW-La Crosse. Wei will discuss representations of homosexuality in Chinese media and whether major Chinese cities are facilitating space for local LGBT communities to be public about identity. “His talk really exposes the counter example that China is. There are perceptions that China is very closed and rigid,” says Mahruq Khan, UW-L professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. “We are starting to see a greater embracing of the public LGBT community in China.” Khan says the discussion will illustrate the kinds of diversity issues that emerge in very globalized cities such as Shanghai and also spotlight how local and global culture are interconnected. Wei's visit is sponsored by the UW-L Visiting Scholar/Artist of Color Grant through the Provost's Office. The lectures: 7 p.m Monday, Oct. 3, 102 Wing Technology Center, "Better City, Better Gay Life." This talk will focus on the significance of local homosexual identities in globalizing cities in China undergoing rapid urban development. Wei will examine whether the fight for public gay space leads to further democratization of Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Wei argues a strong connection exists between a city that is global in nature and how it facilitates the emergence of public gay space. 12:30 p.m Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1400 Centennial Hall: "The Representation of Homosexuality in the Chinese Mainstream Media" Wei will discuss the contradictory realities facing many homosexuality-themed films that are banned in China yet are internationally recognized. The concepts of social taboo, moral ambiguity and the symbolic annihilation of LGBT individuals will also be used to understand this cultural phenomenon and its political implications.

UW-L Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers a major and minor in Women’s Studies. Currently 23 students have declared the major and 31 have declared the minor. The courses: Many of the courses focus on creating a greater awareness of how gender, race, class and sexuality impact women’s lives. Courses create more awareness surrounding women’s experiences in a society where women historically have been marginalized. An opportunity to engage: Students are encouraged to think about ways to engage in issues of inequality they read about in class. As part of their senior seminar, students complete an internship, which gives them the opportunity to take knowledge they’ve acquired in courses and apply it to addressing inequality issues in communities. Another opportunity for engagement is the Women’s Studies Student Association where students discuss how issues of gender affect their lives and create activities and programs that speak to students needs. “Students are really making the connection between the more abstract concepts in class and the everyday, lived realities of themselves and their neighbors,” says Khan. More on Wei Wei: Wei Wei is an Associate Professor and Deputy Chair of the Department of Sociology at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, China. His research interests include gender and sexuality, urban sociology, race and ethnicity, and qualitative methods with a focus on identity formation, public space, community mobilization, media representation, and HIV education and prevention in LGBT communities in contemporary China. He is the first scholar at his institution to offer courses in Sexuality Studies, such as “Sexuality, Society and Health” and “Queer Culture: Media, History and Society.” He also teaches for the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE)- Shanghai Center.