Coming out 'softly': metapragmatic reflections of gay men in illiberal pragmatic Singapore

Given the social stigmatisation and legal disadvantages faced by gay men in Singapore, there is a general hesitance to be open about one's gay identity for fear of discrimination and possible prosecution. The logic of illiberal pragmatism is taken up by the Singaporean government as a mode of governance that simultaneously constrains and frees its citizens, which forces its gay citizens to straddle the expression of their sexual identity and a sense of duty to their families. This same tension is found in gay men's reflections on the coming out process. In ethnographic interviews conducted with 15 Singaporean gay men, concerns arise about the perceived strength and directness of coming out alongside the need to satisfy familial obligations. In response to these concerns, gay Singaporeans have adopted a 'soft' approach to coming out that aligns with national illiberal pragmatism.