Hiding More Than Others: Identity Disclosure in Online Dating Among Disabled Gay Men in China

Previous research has highlighted that in China, the development of digital technologies has expanded the living spaces of Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSMs) and People with Disabilities (PWDs). However, limited attention has been paid to the digital practices of individuals with intersectional identities-specifically, GSMs with disabilities. To address this gap, the present study focuses on disabled gay men, exploring their encounters, actions, and experiences in online dating, as well as the broader impacts on their everyday lives. Through thematic analysis of 18 interviews, three key themes emerged: "Broken Reciprocity," "Labelling vs. Speaking Out Disability," and "Paradoxical Empowerment." Drawing on these empirical findings, this study seeks to advance our understanding of the global digital experiences of GSMs with disabilities by highlighting two specific dilemmas: "Intersectional Hiding" and "Highly Accurate Identifiability."