Ritual, modernity and well-being: Queer spirit mediums and ritual healing in mainland Southeast Asia

Abstract

Queer people in Southeast Asia were previously often regarded as being ill with the life stresses they experienced from marginalisation often leading them to seek support from folk healing traditions such as spirit mediumship. Recent decades have seen major changes in spirit mediumship in mainland Southeast Asia with queer people taking leading roles in these rituals, not as patients but as respected specialists who have increasingly replaced traditional female healers in these widespread and expanding forms of spiritual intercession. Spirit mediumship cults are an increasingly queer-friendly dimension of the religious fields in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam, providing spaces for queer recognition and even privilege as the social standing of gay men and trans women is being enhanced by their acknowledged roles as specialists in ritual healing. Show more