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15 Feb 2007

china's gays call for same sex marriage

During a busy lunch hour on Valentine's Day in Beijing's central business district, six lesbians and gays handed out 200 red carnations wrapped in leaflets calling for the acceptance of gay love and marriage. A Beijing exclusive by Dinah Gardner.

A group of gays and lesbians in Beijing have held the country's first public appeal for the support of same sex marriage in China.

A gay man handing out red carnations wrapped in leaflets calling for the acceptance of gay love and marriage in eijing's central business district on Feb 14. (Photo by Dinah Gardner)
During a busy lunch hour on Valentine's Day in Beijing's central business district, around half a dozen lesbians and gays handed out 200 red carnations wrapped in leaflets calling for the acceptance of gay love and marriage.

"Love has no boundaries; it is nothing to do with gender," the flyer read. "We are homosexuals. We also want a life together with our loved one please support all kinds of partnerships and all kinds of love. Please support same sex marriage."

This kind of action is very unusual in China; unauthorised public protests are usually broken up the police. In 2005 a gay and lesbian culture festival was broken up by the police on the grounds the organisers had not sought permission to hold the event.

"We were concerned about security, we had lots of meetings about that," said Xian, one of the protest's lesbian organisers.

"This is different, our action can be considered kind of political. So we chose this area because we think there will be less police here. Also there are a lot of white collar workers here, higher educated people, the group we are seeking support from." Their protest, which lasted about 20 minutes, went ahead undisturbed.

Many of those who accepted the flowers said they supported the action and gay marriage in China.

"I think it's only fair; it's everybody's right to get married," said Liu Peng, a 21-year-old student of banking. "I support them. I think it's great."

"I don't know when China will have gay marriage," he added. "Not now, but in the future I think China will have gay marriage but I can't say when, maybe far in the future." Lie said he was not gay.

Rain Xia, a 25-year-old straight male said: "It's kind of surprising to get this kind of thing [public call for gay marriage]. I never expected it was this. But I can understand them and I support them. It's a human right for everyone to be able to get married."

But not everyone was so sympathetic. His colleague, Christina Wang, said she did not support the protest.

"I don't support this because of my religion," the 31-year-old headhunter, who is married, said. "I am a Christian and I don't think it's right. I don't think it's healthy to be gay."

Xian said she felt it was the right time to make this kind of protest because China's gays and lesbians are growing more confident.

"We're doing it now because there are now so many lesbians ready to come out and to stand up for their rights," she said. "When we started organising this we had no trouble at all finding people. In fact we had trouble finding boys." Only one gay man helped hand out flowers.

Ming Ming, who was helping to film the protest, said she was surprised how attitudes towards gays have changed over the past few years.

"Compared to a few years ago people seem more open to gays and gay marriage and more accepting. The change is really noticeable."

Xian said she was happy with the way the protest had gone.

"I think it was a success," she said. "People said they supported us. One girl took a flower and said it's great because she's a lesbian too."

While life has become easier for China's urban gays and lesbians and the media has become more queer friendly, many homosexuals still end up in conventional marriages because of familial and societal pressure.

Renowned sexologist, Li Yinhe, has submitted proposals to legalise gay marriage in China three times at the annual meeting of parliament. Each proposal was rejected. The country's gays and lesbians were hoping she would submit a fourth proposal this month, but Li wrote in a recent blog entry that she was retiring from campaigning for sexuality-related civil rights because of pressure from her higher-ups. The professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences as once listed as one of China's 50 Most Influential People by Asiaweek magazine.

"Gay marriage is not something that our country can accept at this stage of its cultural development," wrote Li. "History will change when it must. And perhaps I will only be able to be a bystander when the change comes, rather than a participant."

读者回应

1. 2007-02-15 19:13  
i keep support for that :)
回应#2於於2011-01-14 01:07被作者删除。
3. 2007-02-15 20:42  
great to see this in china
hope to see this happen in s'pore
4. 2007-02-15 20:44  
woww ... that is brave and determined. way to go guys !
5. 2007-02-15 20:46  
The group's bravery and passion for gays' rights is admirable! I have great respect for them and owe them for their contribution to gay cause in Chinese community, that I belong to.
6. 2007-02-15 21:45  
this is wonderful. a great article about courageous people. thanks.
7. 2007-02-15 22:06  
That is great! I hope it will help the 98% of my chinese gay friends who are not out with their family to find more courage to chose their own life.
8. 2007-02-15 22:09  
I think now more than ever, with about 16 more newborn boys born in China for every 100 girls (according to a recent census), it behooves the party and Chinese society to become more accepting of this alternative. Surely with the disproportionate number of males and the sheer volume, homosexuality will be more common anyway.
9. 2007-02-15 22:10  
every journey starts with one step.
wa a nee
10. 2007-02-15 23:42  
You go girls! ...and boy!
It's too bad only one gay man participated in the protest, but it's a begining. I applaud the courage of lesbians there in Beijing and around the world for that matter!
11. 2007-02-15 23:43  
how admirable!

whoever involved will be remembered in history.

12. 2007-02-15 23:58  
go go go!!! all the wayyyy
13. 2007-02-16 01:02  
What a great way to make a point by using such a recognisable sign of love to ask for love to be recognised. A great example to be followed by others.
14. 2007-02-16 01:15  
kudos to those who thought of the idea and went ahead with it. :) salut !
15. 2007-02-16 02:05  
Wonderful and courageous! Keep up the strong work... to all of those who stand up and stand out -- in spite of adverse political conditions and lack of support from many families/ institutions -- we support and LUUUUV all of you! It REALLY DOES make a difference! How can we help? To whom/where can I send more flowers?! :-)) cheers and admiration, from San Francisco xox Corey
16. 2007-02-16 03:08  
This is the first baby step we (LGBT) take for China. As we have the will power and show others that we are not some mutant; but have the same flesh and blood that runs through everyone's system. Our strength has grown via the world, You GO- my brothers and sisters....united we stand and as one...family!
17. 2007-02-16 06:56  
Yup same answer with qustion fm ( Post 1 & 3 & 6.. )
18. 2007-02-16 06:57  
Yup Same all A&Q fm ( Post 1/ 3/ 6 )
19. 2007-02-16 06:58  
A&Q=Answer & Quswer ALL same fm ( Post 1/ 3/ 6. )
20. 2007-02-16 07:52  
Li Yinhe spoke in Montreal at the 2006 Outgames Human Rights conference, she is very inspiring and I am glad Fridae is reporting on this important event.

The comment I wouldl like to make is -- where are the images of the lesbian sisters who formed the majority of the activists on the street !?! I am glad that one strong gay man participated, but we need to see the images of the women!

21. 2007-02-16 09:55  
Think will be very hard! Asking China goverment to accept same sex marrige. But is a really good try! Try to imagin that if WHOLE WORLD can accept same sex marrige.....How wonderful life it is?
Ganbateh!!!
22. 2007-02-16 09:57  
Beautiful! What a fantastic way to protest. Fight hate with love.

Mmmmmm
23. 2007-02-16 10:23  
that is good direction for China's gay
24. 2007-02-16 11:25  
It will be a tough road ahead to convince the chinese government to accept same sex marriage. Everything has it's first step. It is encouraging and brave to do that. Keep it up.
25. 2007-02-16 12:39  
once china accept gay marriage, slowly its will affect asia countries accept too.. i do think so..
26. 2007-02-16 12:40  
viva Gay China, and support same-sex marriage

my tear was dropped down when i read this articles, so dramatic in such a tremendous development and era of globalizations like this
27. 2007-02-16 12:43  
cute guy in that pic! lol
28. 2007-02-16 13:12  
very brave first steps. you few have the right to be so proud of your actions. i commend you.
29. 2007-02-16 14:09  
I support and respect his strong heart but a beautiful man like that could be sent to prison and tortured. When laws change so people can say what they want would be a better time to protest things such as this.
30. 2007-02-16 15:20  
Applause for gay in China!!!!
Hope gays people in Indonesia do some things!!
Cha yo....!
31. 2007-02-16 16:34  
Hope see more such activities in the future. And I actually have the faith people will act with much participance.
32. 2007-02-16 17:59  
CBD?


oops....close my house...
33. 2007-02-17 17:16  
First thing first,love has no boundries,it doesnt matter whether gay or les marriage,at least must have a chemistry in love then it can go over the limit,i think its ok to have a gay,les marriage in china or singapore(lol),anyway gays,dont lose hope in love,nothing can stop us from loving..

Message Written From:3SG Ahmad(ActTheFool)
Singaporean(my msn is planters_sachok@hotmail.com)
34. 2007-02-18 08:26  
I really hope that Singapore will sooner or later accept same sex marriage as well, me and my dear wish to get marriage one day !!!!
35. 2007-02-18 09:32  
Here in Taiwan we have been figting for this for ten years and no closer. It is more acceptable to be gay but gay marriage, well the bill is still alive but just sitting there. In China I don't think it will happen, if it does it will be in at least 20 years.
I support all rights, even the basketball player that came out and expressed his hate for gays it is his right but worng ha ha
36. 2007-02-18 12:25  
I think the hansome man in the picture is the bravest man in the world and I admire him greatly.
37. 2007-02-18 14:10  
Good for them. Living in Shanghai most people there could care less of sexual orientation. Most people are concerned about their lives to worry about anyone else. As a Canadian that has this right, I think these people are taking the right steps.
38. 2007-02-18 23:03  
will singapore ever legalise same-sex marriage? no matter how liberal our citizens may be, there remains a limit as to how diverse our society can be.. or how liberal our government can be.. perhaps china may legalise same-sex marriage earlier than singapore even.
39. 2007-02-19 01:23  
This is amazing to hear !

A few more brave men will surely come forward as time goes on.

If this had been held in any other place, one doubts that it might have passed off as peacefully.

A very brave and wonderful step to a civil society in China a land of 1.3 billion souls and growing.

40. 2007-02-19 02:01  
Salute to the gay china !!

Singapore....??
Give me a break!!!

This accursed country even still consider gay sex a crime, let alone marriage.

Even only half of the youngsters are tolerant to gay people.
41. 2007-02-19 06:32  
I am very glad to see the changes.

As I am more into "gay theme", I was very surprised to find a great many gay activities in acient China among the novels and literatures. I believe it was accepted in acient China. I don't know when and how Chinese change their attitudes toward homosexual activites. I wish we, as gay Chinese, will be accepted by our motherland and our family soon!
42. 2007-02-19 19:35  
Every little bit counts. And every small step leads to the next. Kudos for this mini-demonstration. I know that in Malaysia and Singapore, the "kiasu"/"kiasi" (scared to lose, and scared to die - literally) attitude of self-censorship would prevent most people from ever EVER even come close to doing something like that.

I've found that my friends in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China are much more gung ho and fearless when it comes to self-identity and fighting for it.

Good job guys, and keep it up! We definitely need more role models, and to keep hearing such stories to keep our spirits up and inspire the rest of us to better things.
43. 2007-02-19 22:09  
same sex marriage is legal in some country... later on more and more country will accept same sex marriage but the most important issues is whether it will b approve by our parents r not. same sex marriage is just like the normal marriage, marriage depends on love but not depends on sex, do u agree?? so just stand with yourself never give up till the last minutes. Be strong everyone. i support same sex marriage.
44. 2007-02-20 11:58  
This whole thing reminds me of the history of Afro-Americans. Let's hope for a Chinese version of Lincoln who would give us the freedom to love, as a start.

By then, the conflict will be diminished, but unfortortunately, it may never end totally. Just like all other kinds of discrimination. Why? Because it's human nature. Until we all realize that we're all part of the "man" kind.... Surprised? Well, the truth is, not everyone knows that!
45. 2007-02-22 07:23  
Progressive and revolutionary change begins with just a few good people.

It is great news that there are more than just a few good people moving things forward for our LGBT sisters and brothers in Beijing.

Sending all my SOLIDARITY and SUPPORT to our queer comrades in CHINA!

Let's move the middle kingdom into one where ALL people are free to love, live & thrive with dignity. . . where ever they chose to sit amidst the big and beautiful RAINBOW.

46. 2007-02-22 15:57  
only when gays are the majority in the world the the str8 will learn how to feel being ostracised....:(
47. 2007-02-22 21:51  
Wow, that's really awesome. Though, I wonder if we will ever witness an event of such nature in Singapore.

Still, whether you are straight or bi or gay or transgender or anything in between apart from the 2 mainstream genders, I believe that as a human, one should be entitled to a happy relationship and the right to consummate your happiness with your beloved.

"Not healthy to be gay": Such words only serve to expose the self-loathing and hatred uttered by such individuals. It only drives in the pain in my heart, surely a slim fraction of what all LBGTs must feel. Some days, I just ponder the point of being a human when all we do is sow discord, disharmony and misery among one another. And then, I look at myself and realise that all is not so bad. After all, I love myself and thus affirm my existence on Earth. :)
48. 2007-02-23 00:35  
well done comrade, you do LGBT proud & stand for your rights as what you are.

I doubt our little country will witness such an event. The well intended organizer for the infamous "Nation Party" were labelled as "sick" by some & the media sensationise the whole issue, let alone if some brave LGBT starts giving leaflet or flowers, I guess the ISA will come in good use.

Using religion to veil his/her opinion simply sheild their inner voice of discrimination towards PLU.
49. 2007-02-23 10:49  
very cool china
sghill
50. 2007-02-23 15:24  
This just goes to show that homosexuality transcends all cultures and nationalities, and now so does the demnad for recognition of gay couples.
51. 2007-02-23 20:16  
I experienced the 2 happiest yrs of my entire life in Beijing a while back. No mention of gay marriages then. If and when it does happen , I sure will shed many tears for having left such a unique and majestic city ; city full of gentle , warm and caring people. How could I ever forget the land of smiles ?
52. 2007-02-26 03:05  
Congratulations & solidarity to our brave queer sisters & brothers in China!

If Chinese people just looked at their own history - how many bisexual (or gay?) Emperors there have been in the past - they would understand that it's just human nature.

Good luck to all those involved in the campaign. I hope our messages of support get forwarded somehow to Xian, Ming Ming & Li Yinhe.

Perhaps Ms Li could help forward our comments to those law-makers who have closed minds, yet are aware of how the world views China as she gradually opens up.
53. 2007-02-26 08:57  
Go China, am happy to read of the emerging acceptance of gays there.
54. 2007-02-27 00:13  
Hey I support truly for same sex marriage ... have it legalised in Malaysia as well ... i wan to share my life with my love ones... 260207
55. 2007-03-01 20:37  
anyhow~~i wish and will be confident that the marriage of gays in China must come true~~

hope more and more people endeavor to promote a right consciousness to others and accept the normal phonomenon~~

let us wait and see with our patience and don't make a hasty decision~~
56. 2007-03-03 21:54  
i hope someday malaysian people also can accept gay people... i know it's hard to acceptance of gay love and marriage...but just repect gay feeling like us...

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