Alesha Byrne

Martial arts is often cited to be a masculine-forward, strength-prioritizing performance or engagement. In a historical sense, it is possible to delineate this assumption by the prevalence of accounts of male martial artists. With changes in the way that information travels, largely due to the internet and growing transnational communications, it is possible to find representation in many forms. Beginning with historical accounts and fictional representations, this will be a backdrop to developments in transnational collaborations and social networks of the current day, such as 2023’s Gay Games. Held in Hong Kong and co hosted by Hong Kong and Mexico, what impacts do large scale international networks have and how do they contribute to visibility and equity amongst martial artists and their home environments? Continuing to more localized and organic communities, qualitative case studies and interviews will assist in illuminating relevant socio-political and economic factors faced by those showcased, as well as examine what impact martial arts has on gender performance and perception of the self in the Asia Pacific Region and its diasporic populations.