Lesbian marriage in Beijing
Twelve leading figures from the Chinese gay and lesbian community are to speak at The University of Manchester in the first event of its kind in the UK this week (22 to 24 March). The activists, academics, and filmmakers will share their experience with European counterparts to correct misconceptions about being lesbian and gay in China. Europe-China LGBT Exchange is organised by William Schroeder from the University's Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS). "This event is about dispelling prejudices about LGBT life in China: it might be surprising to some that activists like these 12 people operate openly and rather effectively there,” he said. "In fact LGBT communities thrive in many parts of the country, especially urban centres, but also rural areas too. The event is funded by the Ford Foundation, the British Inter-university Chinese Centre (BICC) and Manchester's CCS. Though homosexuality used to fall under general anti-hooliganism laws in China, it was decriminalised in 1997 and delisted as a mental illness in 2001.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
