The queer expression and construction of sexual identity on Instagram: A study among Malaysian gay and lesbian youth

Teoh, Kai Xin (2026) The queer expression and construction of sexual identity on Instagram: A study among Malaysian gay and lesbian youth. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

In Malaysia, sexuality and gender diversity are widely regarded as taboo topics, constrained by social norms, religious beliefs, and legal restrictions. LGBTQ+ youth often face challenges expressing their sexual identities both offline and online due to fear of stigma and discrimination. Nevertheless, online platforms such as Instagram provide greater control and relative anonymity, making them important spaces for sexual identity expression and construction. This study investigates how Malaysian gay and lesbian youth use Instagram for expression and the construction of their sexual identity. A qualitative approach is employed, beginning with a textual analysis of selected Instagram posts, followed by semi-structured interviews with five participants. These methods provide a comprehensive understanding of how sexual identities are expressed and constructed within Malaysia’s conservative socio-cultural context. The study is expected to show how participants negotiate their sexual identities through captions, visual content, and daily online interactions, highlighting patterns of self-expression. It also examines how participants navigate challenges related to privacy, authenticity, and social acceptance, which shape identity construction. Both the textual analysis and semi-structured interviews are grounded in Co-Cultural Theory, which guides the study’s examination of how Malaysian gay and lesbian youth employ strategic communication practices to express and construct their sexual identities. By situating the study within Malaysia’s conservative socio-cultural context, this research highlights how Instagram enables sexual identity expression and construction in contexts where both offline and online channels for expressing sexual identity are constrained. It also provides insights into how social media supports the sexual identity expression and construction of Malaysian gay and lesbian youth.

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