New Books Network Vincent Pak, "Queer Correctives: Discursive Neo-homophobia, Sexuality and Christianity in Singapore" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Oct 3, 2025
Vincent Pak, an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong and author of Queer Correctives, delves into the complex interplay of sexuality and Christianity in Singapore. He discusses how spiritual transformation can reflect neo-homophobia, utilizing testimonials that showcase the struggles of queer individuals. Vincent examines the metaphor of straightness and its normative implications, unveiling the conflicts within language and identity. Furthermore, he explores the sociopolitical landscape that shapes contemporary attitudes towards homosexuality in Singapore.
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Academic Path And Research Identity
- Vincent Pak describes his academic trajectory from Singapore to a joint PhD at NUS and King’s College London.
- He explains his disciplinary identity shift toward sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology focused on gender and sexuality.
Project Origin And Fieldwork During COVID
- Vincent recounts starting the project in 2018 and wanting to research True Love Is during his undergrad.
- He later collected interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic and converted his dissertation into the book Queer Correctives.
Straight Lines As A Model For Normativity
- Pak links cultural preference for straight lines to assumptions about sexuality and normativity.
- He uses spatial metaphors (lines vs curves) to argue that straightness is treated as an ontological ideal for lives and desires.
