Well, the 2000s, noughties or whatever you want to call the decade between the ‘90s and the ‘10s is almost over. As a gay person, there is a lot to be excited and optimistic about for being in China at the moment. In spite of the seemingly slow movements and false starts at times, look at what has been accomplished or started in this decade alone, especially in the past few years:
• In April 20, 2001, the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders formally removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
• China’s first ever Pride – Hong Kong in December 2008 and in the mainland, Shanghai in June 2009. Okay, so it wasn’t really the way Pride is usually held in the West, but it’s a start. Also earlier this year, Beijing had its Qianmen Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot.
• Around April-May 2007, three shows claimed to be the first gay-themed program in China: Gay Connection, Queer As Folk, based in Beijing, and Comrades Must Carry On. Whatever you may think of these shows, it gave exposure to the wider public about gay life.
• Since 2003, prominent sexologist and activist, Li Yinhe, has been proposing same-sex marriage legislation at the annual Two Sessions. The bill has been proposed a total of four times. While all four proposals failed because she was unable to find enough cosponsors for a placement on the agenda, Li plans to propose the bill again in 2010.
• The mother of the first gay man to come out on Chinese television in 2004, Wu Youjian, is also the founder of PFLAG China. PFLAG China, now 2 years old, boasts more than 30 active parents and 120 volunteers.
• The August 2009 issue of iLook Magazine marked the first time gay-related issues were made the main theme of a mainstream Chinese magazine. The issue devoted 233 pages to the theme and the first 50,000 copies were sold out within a matter of days.
• Fudan University in Shanghai launched China’s first undergraduate gay-studies course in September, 2005. The course examines gay social, legal and health issues.
• The Chinese government has finally acknowledged that MSM (men having sex with men) is an important target group to focus on HIV intervention. For instance, the first government-backed gay bar in Dali, originally slated to open for this past World AIDS Day, finally opened to little fanfare on December 19.
Gay life in China has yet to catch up with its partners in the West. But this decade has seen some strides in progress, and there is reason to believe we will continue to push the boundaries in the 2010s. So drink up that champagne, ring in the new decade, and party on for a better future ahead!
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