Taiwanese Lesbian’ s Identity Formation and Subjectivity Practice in “The L Word”

• Main Authors: Lin,Jia-An, 林家安
• Other Authors: 王雅各
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/69274632497596917314

碩士 === 國立臺北教育大學 === 藝術與造形設計學系碩士班 === 97 === This thesis derives from the ever-popular and controversial TV series <The L Word> of the Showtime Channel, pursuing a process of implementation of “Collective Identity.” Through interviews and discussions with 13 respondents: Lai-Tong、A-Man、Yi-Mei、Ciao-Ciao、Shi-Ting、Yu-Huan、Shiao-Mai、Yi-Jyun、Meng-Yu、Zih-Ting、A-Luo、Mi-di and Da-Mao, we have experienced the exploration, debate and dialectic of subjectivity, in search of the new meanings of Taiwanese lesbians’ identities. This thesis is based on qualitative research from the audience’s point of view. The researcher considers that the importance of <The L Word> is to create the discourse space through which the audience “bonds” with others in depth meaningfully. In the collective process, lesbians discover their true faces as well as others’, rendering the possibility of rediscovery and empowerment of their lesbian identity. To the Taiwanese lesbians, it is such a precious experience to have found the collective identity. Although after investing in profound effort in various Gay and Lesbian Movements, Taiwanese lesbians have been gradually moving forward towards an optimistic and positive image, in general, they are still trapped by the self-hatred, gender role system and ethnocentrism, which cause denials and rejections to bisexual women, transgender people, male lesbian, blue class lesbians, typical butch/femme, and androgyny within the LGBT society. Being a “fictional” media text, < The L Word > “truthfully” weaves the life stories and thought process of its audience, contriving collaborative platform of their subjectivity. Furthermore, < The L Word > taps into another level, connecting other individual and collective identities, educating Taiwanese lesbians about the contradiction and narrowness in such self-identity, and brings about the true meaning of liberalism.