Queer Utopian Conceptualizations In Shanghai: A Critical Analysis

What is queer is more than a conceptualization of queer theory,it is expressed through a response to the “Hetero-normative” life-style,a rebellion against what is,which is a pollution of what it is.Queer utopia is more than an answer,it is a glimpse of what queer can become,in the sense of becoming what it is and was meant to be,not a mere reaction or rebellion but a creation to what it is as it is naturally.In Relation to Plato's Republic,Courage,Self-Control,Practical Wisdom and Justice are the main virtues that are required in balance to have the ideal state.When there is balance between these virtues,society innately runs well,runs peacefully.Therefore,as Shanghai is the forefront of China's innovation and development,I suggest to you that in Shanghai,the LGBTQ+ community can not only thrive but grow and integrate if they are fostered in the realms of creativity,innovation,diversity,and social-awareness.To this end,the normalization of diversity through inclusive recognition and not through marginalization can provide the environment for a better future.This thesis contains four sections.The first section divulges the historical usage and modern dangers of utopic thought.It provides a background that discusses its usage well before the coining of the term by Thomas More.This section seeks to take the reader back to the time of Confucius to make the connection in the Book of Rites,where the concepts of ideal society or utopic thought is first recorded in Chinese history,and connect them with the current used Confucian concepts of????and??from the book of rites.Then it seeks to look at the inherent dangers associated with utopia and ways in which to combat those dangers.Finally,the section seeks to discuss further the full application of utopic thought within society and a critical tool.The second section seeks to discuss the concept of the creative city.A creative city is essentially a city that fosters creativity and diversity in a manner as to inspire the people in a creative and diverse environment to utilize creative problem solving and thinking to the world around them.1 Next,this section seeks to discuss the creative city's connection to utopic thought and how the environment is currently in Shanghai.This section also seeks to make a connection between Xi Jingping's discourse about innovation with the creative city that is Shanghai.Additionally,it seeks to make a connection with the party's utopic goals for????by the year 2050.The third section seeks to discuss queer theory on society built around reproductive futurity and how it applies to queer futurity.Additionally,this section takes a look at the qualitative data gathered from fieldwork to get a better glimpse of the queer utopia in Shanghai.This section is split into six subsections.The last section concludes this thesis and places the data into perspective.