Mapping Bai En as male feminization figure in social networking site Facebook: Focus group studies on selected Malaysian chinese youth in Klang valley

Sia, Jean Vie (2025) Mapping Bai En as male feminization figure in social networking site Facebook: Focus group studies on selected Malaysian chinese youth in Klang valley. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

The Malaysian Chinese community is deeply influenced by traditional gender norms, shaped by both cultural and national policies. In Malaysia, LGBT issues are heavily prohibited, with homosexuality considered a criminal offense. Within the Chinese context, being LGBT is often viewed as shameful and dishonorable to the family, and LGBT individuals are perceived as abnormal. Older generations tend to resist accepting the LGBT community, while younger generations are generally more open-minded toward embracing new ideas and culture, including the LGBT identities. The rise of social media has provided the LGBT community with a safer and freer space to express themselves, affirm their rights and explore their gender identities. However, this has also led to negative effects, such as discrimination, marginalization, and the commodification of LGBT culture within the entertainment industry. LGBT subcultures are deeply intertwined with societal moral panics and the hegemony of capitalism, which prioritizes profit over cultural heritage. Through the findings, respondents aligned with integrated theories that successfully mapped Bai En as a male feminization social media influencer. By forming focus group discussions, Bai En was analyzed across various categories and caused impacts. Ultimately, Bai En play a significant role within the Malaysian Chinese community, especially among youth. However, respondents agreed that while he promotes LGBT subcultures, his style is not universally accepted and has generated mixed public perceptions.

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