Queer Chinese Diaspora, Danmei Fandom, and (Re)Connection

This paper explores the ways in which diasporic Chinese fans find spaces for reconnection with queer and diasporic identities in fandoms of Chinese slash fiction webnovels, otherwise known as danmei. Specifically, I examine the influence of participation in Western-based, English-speaking danmei fandom on queer and transnational home identies among queer Chinese diaspora. Given existing literature regarding the substantial influence of ethnic media in construction of diasporic identity (Shi 2005, Oh 2013) alongside literature regarding the importance of ethnic queer spaces in negotiating queer diasporic identity (Atay 2015, Tam 2017, Huang 2016), it follows that participation in danmei fandom influences transnational identity for diasporic Chinese fans. Additionally, danmei fandom has already been observed to create queer spaces for fans (Yang & Xu 2016, Martin 2012, Feng 2013). Such existing literature, however, focuses on Chinese fans based in China; I aim to examine how danmei fandom may do the same for diasporic Chinese fans outside of China. Using a grounded theory approach, this paper examines collected survey responses from queer diasporic Chinese danmei fans to reveal that danmei fandom creates a unique space that allows queer diasporic Chinese individuals to reconnect with transnational home identities, reaffirm Chinese identities alongside queer identities, and negotiate the points of conflict between the two -- impacts largely resultant from visibility of queer Chinese diaspora within danmei fandom (following the conclusions drawn from Atay 2015). In addition, I examine the underlying tensions in danmei fandom and limitations of danmei fandom as a space for consolidation of identity, as expressed by a substantial portion of survey participants. For queer diasporic Chinese danmei fans, participation in Western danmei fandom ultimately does allow for reconnection with Chinese identity and reaffirmation of Chinese and queer identities, though such experiences are not necessarily exempt from internal tensions or fandom politics.