Perspectives of youth same-sex sexualities and self-harm among NGO Service Providers and Secondary School Teachers in Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper investigates the perspectives of service providers in working with Chinese lesbian and gay youth in Hong Kong secondary schools, and maps the relations between same-sex sexualities, religion, education and self-harm. By studying the general level of acceptance and tolerance of same-sex sexualities in schools, this sociological study aims to provide further understanding into Hong Kong youth issues and its effect on deliberate self-harm behaviour among Chinese lesbian and gay youth. What are the institutional and personal factors concerning these service providers in providing guidance and counselling services to youth with same-sex desires? What are the potential causal linkages between same-sex sexualities and self-harm? How does the climate of a social environment affect Chinese lesbian and gay youth in accessing support services? Using a qualitative approach, sixteen in-depth interviews have been conducted with teachers, social workers and service providers who work with Chinese lesbian and gay youth in various institutional settings and community-based organizations in 2012 and 2013. Participant observation was conducted at youth centres, cultural events and street protests. The study finds a similarity between the understanding of self-harm and same-sex sexualities, where a young lesbian and gay person is expected to grow out of harming themselves as much as growing out of their same sex desires. Conservative religious beliefs are obstructive to the provision of services to lesbian and gay youth. It concludes that there is a lack of support services and of raising awareness for both service providers and students on issues of sexuality and self-harm.