Abstract
ABSTRACT Two decades on from his sudden demise in 2003, the enduring local and international fandom of Hong Kong’s bisexual icon, Leslie Cheung, amplifies his posthumous stature. This paper delves into the selective commemoration of Leslie Cheung within the contemporary media landscape of Mainland China. Our findings elucidate a discernible erasure of Cheung’s queer identity from mainstream media since 2017, coinciding with an emergent wave of homophobia in the mainland. Contemporary nostalgic narratives recast Leslie Cheung as an emblem of ‘positive energy’, portraying him as a patriotic luminary supportive of Hong Kong’s sovereignty transfer from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China, a devoted artist epitomising the industrious spirit of Hong Kong’s working class, and a benevolent senior guiding young talent. Contrarily, his queer legacy resonates predominantly through social media platforms and music streaming applications.
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