As you might expect China has quite a few gay folks, in fact as estimates range between 1% and 5% of the population being gay – if it’s at the top end of that (which seems likely), there are 70 million homosexuals in China. Or to put that in perspective there are more gays in China, than there are people in the United Kingdom.
Despite being one of the first countries to consider Gay marriage, it currently has no legal status in China. So these couples will have no formal recognition in law after their ceremony.
Traditionally China has always been tolerant of homosexual lifestyles, probably because the main religion was Confucianism which didn’t have much to say about sex at all and almost nothing on the subject of being gay. In fact in the Song Dynasty both men and women found it fashionable to have same sex lovers. Prior to the advent of communism the possibilities of same sex marriage were being touted in China, way before the West would catch up.
In the beginning of Communist China attitudes changed, anal sex between consenting males was made illegal (these laws were repealed in the 1980’s – before the UK managed to repeal its own laws on “buggery”) and homosexuality itself (without actual sex) was criminalized too. This was repealed in 1997, though gay people were still considered to be mentally ill (and institutionalized too) up until 2001.
Amusingly during this period two lesbians were arrested by police in Anhui province, and then had to be released when it was realized there was no crime covering lesbianism on any statute book (so it wasn’t just Queen Victoria who didn’t believe in ladies who loved ladies).
Tolerance is slowly establishing itself, and police were asked to close down "Mr Gay China" a pageant held in Beijing, with no official reason for the closure..
In fact life is slowly returning to normal for China’s gay community, there’s no outright hostility to homosexuals in most major cities, though often there’s a lack of understanding. This is in part due to a general reluctance to discuss sexual issues of any kind (not just gay issues) in Chinese society. Gays certainly don’t face the same level of prejudice as they do in much of the rest of the world.
Chinese historical literature is full of gay men and women, and there has been no move to censor these texts or disavow them from the state.
However gay people in China do face problems, that mainly stem from family pressures and tomorrow we’ll have a closer look at the issues that the Chinese face that might seem unfamiliar in the West today.
Shards of China 
Reblogged this on Dots Of Color and commented:
Really interesting read. Thanks for posting.
Thank you – and for reblogging. Cheers.
I know the numbers all agree with what you are saying, and I really appreciate how you mentioned “in most big cities”. Life in the medium and small cities is actually REALLY different. It seems lesbianism is much more tolerated, but gay is not.
When we discuss GBL community in class, or even in the lecture hall, all students are interested in the topic, because they have been taught that it is shameful and goes against nature. I do get a lot of flack from students and teachers for being open about sexuality.
Here in the medium to small cities being “different” in any way, is a lack of face. Many still fear the consequences of being gay, bi or lesbian privately or openly.
I agree that by and large it’s a lack of understanding and communication that hold the biggest problems. And there’s quite a bit more to come on this subject. Cheers, for commenting. 🙂
Whenever the subject comes up with Chinese people I know they get weirded out. Prejudice due to a lack of exposure, understanding, empathy or all three.
I’ve seen a grown man, blush and run away when asked if he had a girlfriend here, so it’s all sexual related subjects that weird out the Chinese.
In fairness, I’ve been hit on by gay guys here (I have no idea why – I wouldn’t hit on me), and in one memorable incident it was by a Starbucks employee, who had his friend (also an employee) translate his chat up line. So I think there’s a definite progression – but as with all changes, it takes time.
50 years of “Gay=Bad” as the official line, takes a while to change back even when the legislation is reversed.
So at first I “liked” this post, but then I realized I didn’t really know what that implied. Then I “unliked” it to give myself a chance to explain myself (I promise I will be back to “like” more posts)… I learned a lot from this post (that’s what I was trying to say) and enjoyed getting the chance to read it, thank you for sharing.
That’s OK – Chrystina, “liking” generally means that the content had some value to you – nothing more. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Why is sex so taboo on China? I find this odd since It isn’t really a religious issue. I guess what you are saying is that talking about sex is more of a cultural taboo. What are the reasonings? Do you see openly gay Chinese? This is a great series and I am enjoying learning about it. I have gay neighbors (men) and dear friends who are gay women with children my own kids age. Minnesota is realtor sly progressive in terms of gay Riggs so I am interested in learning more about other countries.
It’s not so much that sex is taboo, but that all forms of intimacy are taboo – my wife has never heard her parents say; “I love you” either to her or her siblings, or each other and she’s never seen them kiss. She was astounded that I’d discussed sex and menstruation with my own mother – saying that this would be impossible in China. I think it’s because Confucianism – places society at the front and the individual at the back, so anything that might be even mildly upsetting should stay between the people it involves.
I’ve met openly gay Chinese guys, and one lesbian. But they are the exception rather than the norm (though that’s often the case back home too – except in gay friendly cities like Brighton). I think this will change, but it will as it has been everywhere else in the world be a slow change not a dramatic one.