ABSTRACT

This paper uncovers the ways Thai lesbians negotiate and construct their sense of self as “lesbian,” particularly, in the process of “coming out.” It incorporates concepts such as perception and communication of self, as well as their relationships with partners and their families. The analysis is based on in-depth interviews with a sample of 13 self-identified lesbians, all of whom come from a middle-class background and engage in several professions. The results indicated that they constructed their lesbian identities while attempting to negotiate around established conformist and heteronormative structures. Respondents placed considerable emphasis on “not being different” with the notions of loving companionship, faithful relationships, and daughter obligations indicated the sameness. Conventional gender roles stemming from a dominant patriarchal culture continue to bind reported aspects of female same-sex practices. Thai lesbians continue to struggle, continuing to re-construct and deconstruct their identities even within the seemingly inclusive outlook of contemporary Thailand.

 抽象的

本文揭示了泰国女同性恋者谈判和构建“女同性恋”自我意识的方式，特别是在“出柜”的过程中。它包含了自我认知和沟通以及与伴侣及其家人的关系等概念。该分析基于对 13 名自我认同的女同性恋者样本的深入访谈，这些人都来自中产阶级背景，从事多种职业。结果表明，她们在试图围绕既定的顺从和异性恋结构进行谈判时构建了自己的女同性恋身份。受访者非常强调“不不同”，爱的陪伴、忠诚的关系和女儿义务的概念都表明了这一点。源于占主导地位的父权文化的传统性别角色继续束缚着女性同性行为的报道。泰国女同性恋者继续挣扎，即使在当代泰国看似包容的前景中，也继续重建和解构自己的身份。