Social conservatism plus paranoia about foreign infiltration prompts a crackdown
For the same message is delivered, time and again, whenever policemen question gay-rights advocates . It is heard when university chiefs punish students for handing out rainbow flags, or when officials press landlords to evict non-profit groups. The message is that sexual minorities pose a political risk.
Activists talk of their cause being set back a decade or more. Within living memory, China denounced homosexuality as a mental illness imported by foreigners. Criminal penalties for gay sex were abolished only in 1997. During a first posting to Beijing in 2000, Chaguan heard a foreign government minister report, with disbelief, the claim of a Chinese counterpart that there were no gay men in China. Remarkable changes followed.
Gay groups worked hard to avoid trouble. As a young Malaysian studying in China, Raymond Phang helped to co-found Shanghai, an organiser of gay celebrations and events. He and fellow volunteers grew used to assuring police that events would not feature political statements from foreign diplomats, or touch on such sensitive topics as Taiwan. No public parades or outdoor gatherings were attempted. The group eschewed slogans like “Gay Rights Now”, says Mr Phang.
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