LGBTQ | The China Project

This week in video: The British Museum under controversy, Shein’s influencer blunder and China’s response to the Wagner rebellion

Susan St.Denis — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:12:10 +0000

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The rise and fall of an unconventional internet celebrity loved by queer Chinese

Nathan Wei — Wed, 17 May 2023 19:14:52 +0000

Guo Beibei, an internet celebrity beloved by China’s gay community for expressions of unadulterated weirdness as someone living on the fringes of society, was banned by Chinese internet censors for “performative ugliness.”

Beijing LGBT Center shutters after 15 years, citing uncontrollable factors

Zhao Yuanyuan — Tue, 16 May 2023 07:48:58 +0000

“I don't think the Center crossed a line, but rather the line crossed them.”

Bonding on the wall: How climbing became a favorite hobby among queer women in China

Nathan Wei — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:30:52 +0000

Indoor climbing has exploded in popularity among young professionals in China, especially among women and LGBTQ communities. We asked two queer women to share their experiences on and off the wall.

How Twitter became a porn platform for gay men in China

Forrest Song — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:00:47 +0000

Although Twitter is not typically associated with adult content, it has built a reputation among Chinese gay men as a hub for amateur pornographic media.

Queer China deserves better journalism

Zhao Yuanyuan — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 03:48:21 +0000

Australian news outlet Crikey recently retracted a three-part series they called "China’s queer purge" after receiving backlash from the Chinese LGBTQ community. We asked two journalists passionate about reporting on LGBTQ issues to share their reactions.

China’s UN statements about LGBTQ issues don’t match the government’s policies at home

Nathan Wei — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 23:09:28 +0000

Over the years, Chinese delegates to the United Nations have made multiple statements in support of LGBTQ rights. Although these remarks strengthened China’s human rights reputation on the global stage, they are not backed up by policies or measures at home.

Three Chinese share their stories about being trans outside China

Maya Song — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:41:08 +0000

Three non-cis Chinese speak about their experiences of coming out while living abroad, and life as a trans person in the U.S. and China.

Hong Kong transgender men win ID card legal challenge, but activists say more changes need to happen

Nathan Wei — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 21:30:21 +0000

Although the ruling was hailed by many as a victory for transgender people in Hong Kong, some activists said it avoided discussing other controversial issues concerning the community like restroom use.

Why China’s gay academics don’t come out — Q&A with Cui Le

Nathan Wei — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 21:49:22 +0000

Faced with official scrutiny and potential complaints from student informants, most of China’s gay teachers and researchers choose to stay in the closet. But that doesn't mean they aren’t fighting for a queer-friendly environment in Chinese academia, Cui Le told The China Project.

Taiwan to allow transnational same-sex marriage

Jordyn Haime — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 03:05:19 +0000

After years of advocacy from LGBTQ rights campaigners, Taiwan has decided to recognize transnational same-sex marriages, though Taiwanese-mainland Chinese couples are excluded.

How a woman in rural China posing as Russian became a gay icon

Nathan Wei — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 21:28:24 +0000

A middle-aged woman in rural China — who was once caught pretending to be Russian using an AI-powered face and voice filter on Douyin — has cultivated an online following for her perceived “campy” aura…and one rather awful song.

LGBTQ year in review: What happened in 2022

Nathan Wei — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 20:53:11 +0000

Looking back on a challenging year in the fight for LGBTQ rights in China and Taiwan.

Feminists and LGBTQ activists at China’s COVID protests

Luis Zheng — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 20:37:26 +0000

A feminist and an LGBTQ activist speak out about the A4 protests inside and outside China — how they sparked divisions, misogyny, and violence, but also hope and solidarity.

‘Real-world consequences’: Safe spaces shrink for China’s LGBTQ community

Jacob Kessler — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:39:37 +0000

China's LGBTQ community has already seen its rights and representation diminish in the past few years. Now, with Xi Jinping confirmed for a third term, the future looks bleaker than ever.

Remembering Queer Lala Times, a lesbian publication that transcended boundaries

Nathan Wei — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 21:39:49 +0000

Just a few years ago, LGBTQ voices and views were easily found on the Chinese internet. That's changed. But this is the story of Queer Lala Times, which operated openly in China from 2013 until 2016.

Taiwan Pride, the region’s largest pride march, makes triumphant return

Mads Vesterager Nielsen — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:13:52 +0000

Despite rain, thousands of people filled the streets of central Taipei to celebrate the return of Taiwan Pride.

Chinese LGBTQ dating apps, past and present

Nathan Wei — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:56:56 +0000

Gay dating apps briefly flourished in China. But many have been shut down, either for financial or political reasons. Let's have a look at some of the most influential ones.

Shandong ‘Rose Boy’: Student’s suicide sparks outrage over LGBTQ discrimination in Chinese schools

Nathan Wei — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 10:48:34 +0000

The recent death of a promising young dancer has highlighted the lack of safe spaces for queer youth in Chinese schools.

Two male celebrities in China kissed on livestream. Were they coming out or queerbaiting?

Nathan Wei — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 05:41:59 +0000

Chinese singer Liu Cong and social media influencer Chen Lu recently intimated they’re lovers — which would make them the first openly gay couple in mainland China’s entertainment industry. But many fans have cast doubt on the legitimacy of their relationship.

The Hong Kong LGBTQ community’s diminishing visibility

Grace Ye — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 06:16:26 +0000

Hong Kong’s turbulent political situation has affected sexual and gender minorities, especially transplants from mainland China, many of whom no longer see the city as the safe haven it used to be.

Hong Kong student challenges school dress code that bans long hair for boys

Trevor Tong — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 12:36:41 +0000

A rare display of defiance against gendered dress codes in Hong Kong schools.

Taiwan withdraws from hosting WorldPride 2025 over naming dispute

Nathan Wei — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 06:35:52 +0000

A blame game involving contradictory accounts erupted after Taiwan backed out from hosting a global LGBTQ gathering due to a name dispute with the event’s licensor.

Looking back at Les+, China’s community-building lesbian zine

Nathan Wei — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:02:17 +0000

Many of the stories printed in Les+ from 2005 until its official suspension in 2015 showcase women's journeys of identification, their quotidian joys and struggles, and their pursuit of intimate life, while some of the special issues touch on topics that were fervently discussed by the community, recording the history of the lesbian subculture of those years.

China’s ban of LGBTQ content in movies didn’t begin with ‘Lightyear’

Nathan Wei — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:45:19 +0000

In China, censorship of LGBTQ content in imported movies has been going on for years. But within the country, queer-themed films continue to be produced.

5 streamable Chinese LGBTQ documentaries

Tristan Shaw — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:12:09 +0000

Although more obscure than feature films, there are many thoughtful and compelling Chinese nonfiction movies featuring queer themes. Have a look.

Drag queens and crossdressers: Where straight and queer meet on the Chinese internet

Nathan Wei — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 21:36:50 +0000

The presence of drag queens and crossdressers who identify as straight on the Chinese internet is seen as a symbol of LGBTQ representation, helping cultivate tolerance and acceptance. It is also a reminder that Chinese society’s relationship with “queer” is more complicated than meets the eye.

LGBTQ Uyghurs live trapped between layers of trauma

Sam Tynen — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 06:46:34 +0000

"I like living at home with my parents. To take care of them in their old age would be a great honor, and I could live out my days alone, working in my hometown until my death. If I could choose, that’s the destiny I would pick."

‘Moneyboys’: A provocative, atmospheric film about Chinese hustlers

Catherine Zauhar — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:45:40 +0000

A Taiwanese and Viennese coproduction, "Moneyboys" follows Fei, a gay sex worker, as he explores love amid his life of secrecy.

Remembering Shanghai Pride, China’s largest LGBTQ festival

Nathan Wei — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 12:43:18 +0000

This month would have marked the 14th Shanghai Pride event, an annual festival first held in 2009 — if not for the fact that it has been on indefinite hiatus for the last two years.

Must-read LGBTQ China books for Pride Month

Emma Burleigh — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:02:06 +0000

In celebration of Pride Month, we’re giving visibility to queer Chinese stories. We’ve compiled a list of LGBTQ books across multiple genres, written by authors of mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, and Taiwanese descent.

Between Islamophobia and homophobia: Life as an LGBTQ Uyghur in China

Sam Tynen — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 05:28:02 +0000

Queer Uyghurs are caught between visibility and invisibility, censorship and self-censorship, being "out" and hiding in the closet. It is not safe for them to share their stories. But when they do, they tell of the human desire to belong and to love.

China lowers minimum age to 18 for gender reassignment surgery

Nathan Wei — Tue, 31 May 2022 22:04:37 +0000

China is taking steps to bring itself up to international medical standards when it comes to trans healthcare.

‘Rose Boy’: How a death on campus changed LGBTQ education in Taiwan

Nathan Wei — Wed, 11 May 2022 21:34:44 +0000

The 22nd anniversary of the death of “Rose Boy” was commemorated in China, while the media coverage of an empowering song named after him attracted criticism for downplaying its progressive message.

Chinese food blogger comes out in suicide note on Bilibili

Zhao Yuanyuan — Mon, 09 May 2022 05:39:45 +0000

The popular content creator's sexual identity, however, was blurred out in some reports in Chinese media, leading to outrage among his followers and those in China's LGBTQ community.

Activists fight for LGBTQ adoption rights in Taiwan

Laurel Stewart — Thu, 05 May 2022 00:21:46 +0000

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Taiwan since 2019, but true equality has not yet been achieved. Social organizations and legislators are collaborating to make changes happen.

Less political, more personal: The many struggles of China’s transgender population

Greg James — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 22:08:18 +0000

In some countries, trans rights and legal protections are now a key topic of national debate. China's trans community is instead quietly grappling with more immediate problems, such as overwhelming rejection from family members and difficulty in obtaining appropriate medication.

Gender bending in China, in fiction and real life

Jeremy Goldkorn — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 20:45:47 +0000

We asked journalist and culture writer Jin Zhao all about Chinese queer radio plays and homoerotic fiction, genres that have a surprisingly large fan base in China.

Danmei, a genre of Chinese erotic fiction, goes global

Jin Zhao — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 09:45:02 +0000

Centered around romantic and sexual relationships between men, "danmei" is wildly popular in China. It's been a hit abroad, too, with three books recently receiving an authorized English translation — and all three making it to the New York Times's bestsellers list.

In the mist

Neocha — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 16:01:00 +0000

A queer fantasy in 360-degree VR

China’s Cultural Crackdowns: A guide

Chang Che — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 09:51:27 +0000

From classrooms to phone screens to celebrity idols, the Chinese government is tightening its control over Chinese society. As culture reaches a new level of strategic importance, The China Project takes stock of the disparate changes to society in the past few years.

The wild, wonderful (and very queer) world of Chinese radio dramas

Jin Zhao — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:38:18 +0000

In China, overt depictions of same-sex relationships are banned from mainstream media platforms. But there’s one space where these stories are allowed to be told.

Haus of Lily: Beijing Drag House

The editors — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 22:12:46 +0000

We sat down with Elizabeth Stride to talk about how drag culture has evolved in China.

Taiwan court rules against surgery requirement for legal gender change

Jordyn Haime — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 05:07:45 +0000

LGBTQ+ advocates are celebrating the ruling, but want legislation to secure rights.

China’s complicated relationship with LGBTQ+ rights

Brian Wong — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:09:01 +0000

Earlier this month, China's do-everything app (which is also a leading social media platform) WeChat permanently suspended the official accounts of more than a dozen LGBTQ+ campus advocacy groups. The move was part of the Chinese state's tightening grip over civil society, but also indicative of a rising backlash toward LGBTQ+ rights within the general population.

5 must-watch Chinese LGBTQ films for Pride Month

Tristan Shaw — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 02:28:18 +0000

LGBTQ film in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even China goes back nearly three decades. In honor of Pride Month, here are five must-see Chinese films that have helped pioneer LGBTQ cinema.

‘Twilight’s Kiss’ is a moving romance about two gay men in their golden years

Tristan Shaw — Fri, 14 May 2021 08:05:52 +0000

Hong Kong director Ray Yeung's humble, tender story of gay love, set in working-class Hong Kong.

[Podcast] How Fujian was once an LGBT mecca (where people worshipped a rabbit god)

Kaiser Kuo — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:00:04 +0000

In China, the Rabbit God — Tu’er Shen — is a relatively obscure deity. But at one point in history, it held special significance, particularly...

The movies of Fan Popo, China’s trailblazing LGBTQ filmmaker

Tristan Shaw — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:00:58 +0000

The streaming platform Montage is currently hosting nine films by Fan Popo, one of China’s best-known filmmakers on queer themes.

Four LGBTQ shorts currently streaming at the LA Chinese Film Festival

Tristan Shaw — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 12:07:50 +0000

The Los Angeles Chinese Film Festival is currently holding virtual screenings until February 5. On Montage, viewers can watch, for free, four LGBTQ-themed shorts.

‘Your Name Engraved Herein’: Forbidden love in 1980s Taiwan

Tristan Shaw — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 07:08:38 +0000

The award-winning film "Your Name Engraved Herein" was Taiwan's highest grossing domestic production of 2020, the first gay-themed film to earn that distinction.

‘The entire sky’: A brief history of China’s lesbian activism

Ting Lin — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 07:31:55 +0000

Early lesbian activists in China had to deal with marginalization from within the queer community. Today, some feel that the gender disparity in the movement still persists.

How Fujian was once an LGBT mecca (where people worshipped a rabbit god)

David Volodzko — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 06:57:32 +0000

In China, the Rabbit God — Tu'er Shen — is a relatively obscure deity. But at one point in history, it held special significance, particularly for same-sex couples who looked to it for guidance and true love. Remnants of the Rabbit God can still be found today, if one looks hard enough.

More info on ShanghaiPRIDE shutdown: Team members asked to ‘have tea’

Bruce Shen — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 10:27:48 +0000

"Drinking tea" in China is a euphemism for being interrogated by police.

Di Wang on LGBTQ rights and representation in China

Joanna Chiu — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Di Wang is a feminist researcher and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She joined NüVoices co-host Cindy Gao in Brooklyn to converse about...

Chapter Four: CINEMQ

Clay Baldo — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

CINEMQ is one of Shanghai’s premier queer events, though it’s not one you’re really supposed to know about. In this episode, the organizers of CINEMQ...

Taiwan’s historic pride parade is celebration for Asia and reminder that the fight isn’t over

Nick Aspinwall — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

When Taiwan legalized gay marriage earlier this year, it positioned itself as a beacon of hope for the region. Its neighbors have not yet followed its example, and gay couples in Taiwan are still fighting for certain rights, but this year’s pride parade showed how far the place has come.

China’s longest-surviving — and very illegal — LGBT magazine

Dave Yin — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Beijing-based GS began as a listings and lifestyle magazine geared toward the gay community before evolving into a respected outlet for commentary and longform journalism...

Chapter Three: Ashley

Clay Baldo — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Ashley is a queer activist working on documenting LGBTQ life in Shanghai. She faces intense scrutiny as the censorship apparatus has taken down her videos...

Voices from China’s lesbian community

Olivia A. Halsall — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

This story originally appeared on 66hands, and is republished here, with minor edits, with permission. When it comes to gay rights, China has come...

Chinese and out in America — and only in America

Johanna Costigan — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

“Here in America, walking down a street full of strangers, I can hold hands with my boyfriend and I’m not embarrassed. But if I see...

China’s generational divide and the struggles of building a queer family

Edoardo Donati Fogliazza — Fri, 03 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Director Hao Wu ventures into the personal documentary genre in All in My Family, available on Netflix. “I’m the person behind the camera, and...

Chinese kindergarten teacher, fired for being gay, sues to get job back

Chauncey Jung — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 05:00:00 +0000

A Chinese kindergarten teacher who was dismissed last summer allegedly because of his sexuality has filed a lawsuit against his former employer to get his job...

‘A Gay’s Life’: First-of-its-kind web game explores LGBT Chinese experience

Frankie Huang — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 05:00:00 +0000

It’s tough being gay and Chinese. An interactive browser game, playable here, takes players through that experience in poignant detail. Last month, Ken Wong...

As China prepares to revise its civil code, calls are renewed for legal recognition of same-sex marriage

Doriane Lau — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 04:00:00 +0000

This is not the first time Sun Wenlin has come into the limelight. In April 2016, Sun and his boyfriend Hu Mingliang filed a lawsuit...

Beijing high school students promote LGBT awareness with t-shirt campaign

Tianyu M. Fang — Thu, 17 May 2018 04:00:00 +0000

Students at several Beijing public high schools have joined LGBT activist groups worldwide in celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) today with campaigns...

Is there no room for freaks in the Chinese Dream?

Elizabeth Stride — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 04:00:00 +0000

Image created using a photo by Elvin Ruiz All of China’s genuine diversity — and more — is represented within its expansive LGBTQ tent. It’s a...

Suing the homophobia out of China’s textbooks

Katharin Tai — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Although China officially removed homosexuality from its list of psychiatric disorders in 2001, homophobia remains a big problem throughout the country, which many Chinese LGBTQ...

Lesbian couple allegedly beaten up in Shanghai restaurant [UPDATE]

Jia Guo — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 05:00:00 +0000

On December 17, a lesbian couple was allegedly assaulted by employees at The Nest, an upscale restaurant located in Shanghai’s famous waterfront, the Bund. When...

Online regulations and LGBT rights: A test for China’s legal system

Cheng Li — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 04:00:00 +0000

Will recent political moves censoring LGBT content force China backward in its protection of the country’s sexual minority groups?

Where are gay rights and feminism headed in China? Leading activist Li Maizi speaks out

Alice Xin Liu — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 04:00:00 +0000

As she fights on the front lines and authorities try to silence her, Li reflects on gay marriage and women’s rights in China.

‘Xi’an does not welcome LGBT events’

Lucas Niewenhuis — Wed, 31 May 2017 04:00:00 +0000

A summary of the top news in Chinese politics and current affairs for May 31, 2017. Part of the daily The China Project news roundup "What is going on at Ivanka Trump’s Chinese shoe factory?"

A former policeman makes millions from a gay dating app, and China seizes an American underwater drone

The editors — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Top China news for December 16, 2016. Get this daily digest delivered to your inbox by signing up at supchina.com/subscribe.

Gay men from China find a liberating openness in America’s LGBT community

Timmy Shen — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Two gay men who left China for the United States discovered a warm and welcoming community that provided experiences much different than those they had back home.

LGBT China

Kaiser Kuo — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:00:00 +0000

A discussion with Fan Popo, an LGBT activist filmmaker in China.