Current Projects

1. Social Media Use Among Chinese-Speaking Transgender and Gender-Diverse People in Australia

Chinese-speaking transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals in Australia face unique challenges stemming from the intersection of their marginalised gender and racial identities. While prior research in other cultural and national contexts has shown that social media can assist TGD individuals in navigating their identities, connecting with TGD communities, and building intimate relationships, little is known about these experiences among Chinese-speaking TDG people living in Australia. This project uses in-depth interviews with 15 participants to investigate how they engage with social media for these purposes. By examining the opportunities and challenges they encounter, the project aims to identify best practices for leveraging social media to support this community.

2. Social Media and Dating App Use Among Queer Men in East Asia

Much of the research on how sexual minorities engage with social media and dating apps has focused on the Global North, with few cross-cultural comparisons. This project expands our understanding by collecting survey data from queer men across three Asian locations (Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan) and in-depth interview narratives with queer men in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Despite their geographic proximity, these regions have markedly different social attitudes and legal frameworks regarding same-sex relationships.

The study examines how these regional social and cultural differences influence how queer men use social media and dating apps. It addresses four key questions:

  • What regional variations exist in dating app usage patterns, and how do queer men use these apps for relationships?
  • How does dating app use relate to life satisfaction among queer men?
  • How do sexting practices differ across these regions?
  • In what ways do dating apps shape how queer men perceive their bodies?

Published articles from this project are:

  1. Chan, L. S., & Huang, Y. T. (2025). Dating app use, self-disclosure, and life satisfaction among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: An exploratory study from Taiwan. Journal of Homosexuality. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2025.2516507
  2. Chan, L. S., Chui, D. L. T., & Yanagi, J. (2025). Cultural-psychological differences, social acceptance of same-sex relationships, and dating app use motives of young GBMSM: A comparative study across Hong Kong, Taipei, and Osaka. Journal of Sex Research, 62, 455–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2024.2317806
  3. Chan, L. S., & Wu-Ouyang, B. (2025). The association between dating app usage and body image dissatisfaction among young men who have sex with men in Hong Kong: A mixed methods study. Sexuality Research & Social Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-025-01091-x
  4. Chan, L. S., & Chui, D. L. T. (2024). How dating apps fail sexual minorities: Hyperpersonal failure as a framework for understanding challenges in developing long-term relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 41(9), 2413–2431. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241244482
  5. Chan, L. S. (2024). Ambivalent, discontent, and sceptical: Marginalised queer lives in the post-same-sex marriage era in Taiwan. Sexualities. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13634607241274606
  6. Chan, L. S., & Wu-Ouyang, B. (2023). Sexting among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong and Taiwan: Roles of sensation-seeking, gay identity, and muscularity ideal. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52, 2373–2384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02559-w