For many lesbians, meeting online through social media websites such as Facebook, Leztalk, and Queer Sisters Forum (zemui tungzi hauseoifong) is an everyday practice. Information about parties and events is often advertised online and circulated through social networking websites that one might join to look for friendships and erotic relationships. Social spaces targeting Hong Kong lesbians can be divided into three categories: community group-initiated gatherings, hybridised business ventures and purely private businesses. These social spaces do overlap as local community groups seek to collaborate with private businesses in order to locate safe spaces for social activities.
Community group-initiated gatherings are organised by local LGBT groups for their members. Examples include creative workshops, meditation sessions and film seminars. Commonly, these gatherings have a steady following from the group’s membership and newcomers are often introduced by members who have become familiarised with the group’s culture. As the Internet has become more accessible for LGBT communities, attendance at these gatherings has seen a steady decline as a result of individuals being able to organise their own social meetings. Websites such as LesZone and Blur. F were popular during the time of my initial fieldwork in 2003— 2008 but both sites have subsequently closed down as website owners have moved on to other interests. The rising costs of maintaining a website, emotionally, physically and financially were also cited as concerns for closing them down. Subsequently, many women have begun to use
Facebook and other commercial web forums to establish and maintain their social networks, and to remain updated about community events.
Internet communication technologies also help to facilitate women’s friendships, hook-ups and relationships across national boundaries. Most notably, the ‘open’ nature of Facebook allows strangers whom one might add as a friend after having met at a party to have a peep at one’s social life online. Some level of emotional support also seems to be provided during cyber interactions as fewer women are calling the weekly hotline that has been operated by activist group Queer Sisters since 1996 (Tang 2011). These transformations are explored further below.