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China Gay力: The Role of "Safe" Spaces for the LGBTQI Community

Billie B. theBeijinger 2019-04-11

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Homosexuality has been documented as a facet of Chinese culture since ancient times. From before the Han dynasty, numerous writers and poets noted the deep and loving relationships that have existed between emperors and their male companions. Of course, such romances occurred in the privacy of the Imperial court. For the rest of Chinese society, same-sex interactions, particularly between men, often took place within select tea houses or Chinese opera theaters.

Over the years, the number of spaces for the LGBTQI community has grown and while the community is still under strict legal restrictions in China, it has been interesting to monitor the development of these spaces. For example, in first- and second-tier Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Kunming, gay clubs, bars, saunas, and support centers are becoming more widespread. However, in spite of this progress, being an LGBTQI person is still particularly difficult, especially in China's more rural areas. This is primarily due to a lack of internet access as well as access to organizations which can provide support and information about the LGBTQI community.

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Those unaware of the current conditions that China's LGBTQI individuals currently live in may ask: "Why is this important?" and "Why does the LGBQTI community require designated spaces?" Before the digital era, these spaces were the only platform in which people within the community could interact freely with one another; from finding a potential lover or partner to even simply socializing with persons of a similar persuasion. As such, they were coined "safe spaces." This is not to say that outside of these spaces members of the community feared for their life, though it is safe to assume that what these venues provide is a greater level of acceptance and support. Additionally, because the LGBTQI community exists as a minority group, the average leisure space available can be classified as heteronormative (i.e. promoting heterosexuality as the normal or "preferred" sexual orientation).  

Interestingly enough, in 2018, a small scale exploratory survey was conducted by a master's student at Beijing International Studies University regarding the perception of Beijing residents towards the development of gay leisure spaces. While the study wasn’t able to reflect a true representation of Beijing's wider population, the student’s findings nevertheless showed that among participants, a high percentage of persons associated a neutral to positive perception towards the development of gay leisure spaces. Additionally, the survey also demonstrated that few residents were aware of designated LGBTQI spaces within the city.

On the contrary, after the birth of apps such as Blued, Grinder, and Tan Tan, it's debatable whether these same spaces hold as much relevance today given that people have shifted to, at least initially, interacting online as opposed to meeting in person. However, despite this increasing trend, it is the opinion of this writer that online interactive spaces (which I will discuss in a separate article) cannot and should not serve as complete substitutes for face-to-face interaction. Specifically for educational and community building purposes, spaces such as support centers and the like still possess great value in providing the community with a "home base."

While the topic of understanding the role of "safe" spaces for the LGBTQI community in China still remains to be further expanded upon, it is believed that the sensitization to the wider society of the existence of these spaces is both helpful and relevant to seeing the LGBTQI movement push forward.

Watch this space for a comprehensive list of Beijing's safe spaces.

READ (via this QR code): Asia's Biggest Pride Events in 2019


Photo: Teo Butturini (via independent.co.uk)


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