gender<ed> thoughts Y. 2/2025 - Race to the Top: Masculinity, Sociosexual Hierarchy, and the Lives of Gay, Bisexual, Queer (GBQ+) Community in Singapore by Shao Yuan Chong, Shawn Van, Chenwei Hu, Yong Han Ng, Seng Wee Toh, Ye Xuan Wee, Daniel Weng Siong Ho, Muhammad Hafiz bin Jamal, Rayner Kay Jin Tan and Rainbow+
Sexual orientation and gendered norms are deeply intertwined and influenced by cultural, social, and political structures – these shape the sociosexual hierarchies that one experiences based on their sexual and gender identities from an early age, and impact individuals’ outcomes in different cultural contexts. Singapore presents a unique case where it combines Euroamerican approaches with its Asian cultural roots. In Singapore, there remains a gap in the understanding of how sociosexual hierarchies influence the experience of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ+) men in Singapore. Derived from a broader study investigating the lived experiences of GBQ+ men, this study thematically analysed the interviews of nine GBQ+ men to understand how Singapore’s sociosexual hierarchy influences gendered norms and impacts their lives. Drawing from the lens of the Precarious Manhood theory, the findings suggest that men across the sexual orientation spectrum victimise GBQ+ men with the goal of climbing up the sociosexual hierarchy. Expectations of masculinity created internalised shame and self-policing for GBQ+ men, impacting their mental health outcomes. Beyond the self, GBQ+ men also engage in community policing to punish other GBQ+ men who fail to meet masculinity standards. Despite the stigma, some GBQ+ community members resisted the sociosexual hierarchy to live their authentic selves, which allowed them a sense of authenticity. With a better appreciation of the processes of the sociosexual hierarchy, we recommend adopting strategies that conscientiously promote inclusivity for GBQ+ men in Singapore, and challenge masculinity norms through interventions that reach men across the sexuality spectrum.
Keywords
Gendered norms, sociosexual hierarchy, Precarious Manhood Theory, gay bisexual and queer men, Singapore