The role of activists' sexual orientation and gender identity in their participation in LGBT movements: a case study from Yunnan, China.

The role played by activists' sexual orientation and gender identity in their involvement and commitment to LGBT movements is an understudied area in the Chinese context. Using identity and dramaturgical theory, this qualitative study explored how activists' work and commitment toward promoting LGBT rights and services is shaped and influenced by their identities. The study draws on data from life history interviews conducted with 20 long-time LGBT activists in Yunnan, China. The findings indicate that their sexual orientation and gender identities were, in the long run, seen as assets by the activists that shaped their work and commitment in the LGBT movement. Despite initial challenges in establishing identity-based connections with co-workers/clients, the emergence of sense of inclusiveness through recognition of activists' efforts, particularly when working with diverse gender and sexual minorities, stands out as a prominent theme in this context. This dynamic is important in bolstering the longevity of activists' commitment and building the continued momentum of LGBT movements in the region and internationally.

The Performance of Environmental and Health Impact Assessment Implementation: A Case Study in Eastern Thailand.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) performance has remained of interest, and over the past ten years, the evaluation technique has evolved. Thailand implemented an EIA with a health impact assessment (HIA) as an environmental health impact assessment (EHIA), which necessitated investigating and developing these instruments; however, its implementation performance has been questioned. The main goal of this study is to comparatively assess how well EIAs and EHIAs are performed in projects in an area in Thailand. Six projects in various sectors that were implemented in Eastern Thailand were studied. The 162 residents (nine local authorities and 153 villagers) closest to the project completed a survey and evaluated the performance according to three aspects (i.e., substantive, procedural, and transactive), using a rating scale and evaluation checklists. The results were presented as a percentage of the total scores and interpreted according to the five scales. The overall performance reached a satisfactory level, albeit not significantly different between cases; however, it was pointed out that the shortcomings of EHIAs and EIAs, particularly their dependability, lack of public involvement, and the need for more transparency, could be addressed through the establishment of an open access database, which would help to simplify the assessment of all stages of EIAs and EHIAs.

"I did not know I was gay": sexual identity development and fluidity among married tongzhi in China.

This study aimed to analyse the life experiences of married tongzhi (defined here as men who are sexually attracted to men) in mixed-orientation marriages in mainland China. The study used a life course perspective to understand sexual identity development among tongzhi, born in the 1970s or thereabouts, in heterosexual marriage and rural China. The study focused on identifying the experiences of the 13 tongzhi participants. Using thematic analysis, we found sexual identity development was influenced by China's historical and social context and, in particular, internal (e.g. internalised heteronormativity), informational (e.g. Internet), and cultural (e.g. family-oriented) factors. Some tongzhi did not follow an identity development trajectory as "out and proud" since their identities were embedded in the complexity of family life and social pressure, the invisibility of "gay circles", and normative social roles. They chose instead to maintain their heteronormative marriages, while seeking to explore and fulfil their homoerotic desires. Implications are discussed for epistemology, methodology and advocacy.