A Same-Sex Marriage Campaign in China?

Published February 25, 2009 @ 04:57AM PT

China

How's this for a cool direct action? Gay and lesbian couples in China are putting up a display of same-sex wedding photos in the heart of Beijing, to draw attention to the issue of same-sex marriage. And the event organizers are saying that China is fertile ground for a campaign to recognize same-sex marriage.

According to this story in today's Guardian, 91 percent of China is comfortable with openly gay/lesbian colleagues in the workplace, while 30 percent back same-sex marriage. Activists admit that they still need time, but that's still not stopping from pushing the issue. Are they right? Is China fertile ground for an LGBT rights movement?

Perhaps. The country only decriminalized homosexuality in the late 1990s, but in recent years, LGBT rights organizations have popped up throughout the country, and most major cities have LGBT establishments and publications. That's the good news. The bad news is that China still censors many gay books and films, and also has a track record of shutting down LGBT gatherings (both social and political).

Still, it's cool to see such a vivid display of LGBT relationships on display in the heart of one of China's biggest cities. One of the brides in the photo above said that the reason people need to see these images is because it shows folks that LGBT people can have loving families and partners. As she told the Guardian: "Family is such an important concept here; people aren't supportive of homosexuality because they basically believe same-sex couples can't form a family. If we have stable families, society will see we are safe, that we are mainstream."

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Comments (1)

It's good to hear that there have been LGBT parades in Beijing to increase the acceptance of same-sex marriage, which I support. Although China needs time, the reasonings against same-sex marriage are intolerant and is why reasonings for same-sex marriage are correct. In addition, it's also good to hear that China has many LGBT organizations, unfortunately, these organizations come under attack from the government.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 02/25/2009 @ 10:36AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.