Gay bars have been operating in China for the past 15 years, however, one in Dali, Yunnan has attracted international attention in the past few weeks because it is the first government funded gay bar in China. After a three-week delay, the bar opened Saturday in a low-key fashion.
The bar was due to open on World AIDS Day on December 1st with the support of the local government; however, extremely negative reaction from the general public and intense media attention had forced the bar to close before opening. Some volunteers at the bar stated that they were already ousted during trial operation in November even though they were not gay; some of them even had their pictures and names posted in the news.
Homosexuality in China was considered a mental illness until 2001 and today, it is still an extremely sensitive issue. According to AFP, “gay men and women find it difficult to come out to their friends and family. One of the reasons lies in the nation's one-child policy, which makes parents rely on their only child to marry and produce grandchildren.”
The newly opened gay bar aims to provide a place where homosexuals can meet in a relaxed atmosphere and get information about HIV/AIDS prevention.
According to China Daily, homosexuals in China came to around 30 million in 2005 but this figure is not reliable because few were willing to acknowledge their sexuality.
Do you think by opening a gay bar, the government has taken a correct step towards recognizing homosexuality?
2 years, 1 month ago
I'm surprised that the Chinese government thought homosexuality is "a mental illness."
However...the Chinese did say a thousand mile journey must begin with a first step. This first step taken by the government, in my opinion, is welcomed.