Chinese gay and lesbian activists take to the streets

[bayjapan]

February 14, 2009, 14:37





Thirty Chinese gay and lesbian activists gathered near Tiananmen Square in Beijing to stage a mock wedding photo session Saturday, hoping to win support for same sex marriage in the conservative society. The demonstration drew gasps, smiles and an occasional scowl from passers-by but police did not interfere.

For some in Beijing's gay and lesbian community, Valentine's Day is not just a day to celebrate loving relationships, but also an ideal time to campaign for same-sex marriages and the acceptance of homosexuality in China
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Chinese gays and lesbians took to the streets on Saturday hoping Saint Valentine's Day would help them attract support for same-sex marriage in the conservative society.

Thirty people gathered on a street in the Chinese capital, close to Tiananmen Square and its stern portrait of Mao Zedong, to hold mock wedding photo sessions. They drew gasps, smiles and an occasional scowl from passers-by. Organisers said similar events took place in three other cities.

Their goal was to win more acceptance in a nation that has long frowned upon open displays of sexuality. Campaigners gave out roses and a slip of pink paper urging support for same-sex marriage.

Police did not interfere. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in China, where for many homosexuality is abhorrent or unknown.

"A lot of people around me don't see the gay community, they don't even know there are any of us around. They think we are very seductive and strange," said one participant, a student who used the name Dana.

"Through today's event I want to tell everyone that there are a lot of us around them, they just can't see us, and that we are the same as everyone else," she said.

With official attitudes relaxing, cities like Beijing and Shanghai now have small but increasingly confident gay scenes.

Zhang Yi, one of the men who posed for wedding snaps, said: "I think that coming here and taking these wedding photos is for fun and a chance for everyone to come into contact with and understand us. But everything needs time."

One onlooker, 19-year-old student Cheng Xiaojiao, said the gathering was a brave gesture.
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"I see no problem. I already have a lot of friends and acquaintances like them. We shouldn't judge them, everyone has their own way of life," she said.

But Jia Junfeng, a legal worker, said: "I personally do not support this kind of marriage because I think it is in conflict with Chinese morality."


courtesy Welt Online

original article

[kawaiixneko]

LOL! Do they not realise that 30 or so gays and lesbians won't really affect their population growth? They already hold the title of the largest population by far! The Chinese population need to understand that =3 Well of course that doesn't imply to their entire population. I'd guess the teens and "young adults" accept it already.

[Duskren]

One day at a time, that's all it takes... Acceptance is the key and I'm glad its slowly gaining everywhere you know?

[Cthismetalheart]

I feel like there should be wayyyyy more then just 30 activists. It's so difficult to get a message across when there is a smaller population. When this becomes something known throughout a lot of the population, maybe there will be some sort of awareness understanding for the government.

[soreja]

It's like this around the world. Not everyone can accept them, but there are people who support them.

Take California for an example - San Fransisco is literally known as the gay city, but that doesn't mean everyone in SF accept gay marriage.

It's all a matter of time. Maybe in the distant future, people who start to accept homosexuals as just normal people. I mean, not ALL heterosexual couples have children...

[bluebaby]

If only the world started as a homosexual way...we'll find heterosexual unacceptable..."vice versa"
Overall, humans' perception are baised