Charnwood
RTSLIN Ethnic Chinese 2019
K
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CONTENTS We Are Who We Are 4 Queer+ Chinese - Pride in London 16 LGBT in Mainland China 24 Dance in Shackles 30 Gay Pride in Taiwan 50
Front cover & left photo by Hanyu Lin
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WHO
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Don’t be ashamed of who you are, we were born this way and we should be proud of being ourselves.
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T
he United Kingdom has always been
country, due to cultural traditions or
a country of diversity, it contains
the government's erratic attitude,
everything! Different ethnicities, colours
LGBT people have suffered a lot over
and languages can be found here.
many years. However, LGBT issues have
Even though different, people have
continuously been one of the biggest
the possibility to show and express
topics of concern for me. Especially
themselves.
after arriving in the UK last year, I started
As a bisexual who was afraid of coming out to others in China, I find it easier to talk about sexual orientation with
to pay more attention to LGBT topics, because I know people will understand and appreciate what I am doing.
people in the UK, because many
Pride in London, one of the largest and
people will understand me. In my
most influential pride festivals in the
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world, has appealed to me for a long
hundreds of volunteers and with more
time. It is run by a group of volunteers
than 30,000 people on the streets and
with great passion. They are a not-for-
a million and a half of visitors, the 2019
profit organisation. 2019 is a memorable
Pride in London has become the largest
year for the gay parade, because it
ever.
is the 50th year after the Stonewall riots. This was the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement, and took place in the United Sates in 1969.
Fortunately, I had the chance to go there and record the event with my camera. It was the first time to attend a pride festival, so I was extremely excited and interested to go there.
This year, with the support of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, many sponsors,
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L
ondon is a fascinating city. I could
'national' festival and that so many
say that from the first moment
people were used to this.
I arrived there. However, Pride in London makes this city more incredible and appealing to me. Rainbow flags, iridescent logos or decorations everywhere, lots of incredible dressedup people... I felt so gratified and delighted, as the situation of Chinese LGBT people is quite tough, I had never imagined a pride festival could be a
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Besides the large-scale parade, other live shows and events were held at some landmark places, such as the community village at SOHO, stages at Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square and others. As the parade was the most attractive event for me, I spent all my time there.
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E
verything was new and incredible
You can see people of every sort and
for me. I couldn't help but to
kind in the parade, whether they are old
shout and scream for everyone in the
or young, male or female, queer or not,
parade. They are as shiny as stars;
healthy or disabled, dressed-up or normal,
they are as beautiful as themselves.
high or low educational background,
Everyone is enormously brave and
students or workers, mental or physical
beautiful to show themselves to the
work, white or black or yellow, residents
public, and everyone is so confident
or refugees... nothing else is important,
and 'proud'.
except that they are who they are.
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11
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I
was so touched and moved when I saw some couples holding their hands
tight and wearing a happy smile as they walked in the parade together, especially when I saw some of the older couples. As visitors, we didnt know what they had suffered due to responses to their identity, we only could see them standing together to tell the entire world that they were together and loved each other. My eyes were involuntary filled with tears. It's the first time that I felt the strength of a community. In fact, I didn't really want to call myself a 'bisexual' or a LGBT person before, because I felt afraid, and yes, shamed. But people were telling me through their actions: don't be ashamed of who you are, we were born this way and we should be proud of being ourselves.
Article by Hanyu Lin
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All photos by Hanyu Lin
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‘
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The rainbow is the refraction of the sun in the air, and love is the refraction of the sun shining into the heart. But love is more tolerant and gorgeous than the rainbow.
Queer+ Chinese
As Pride in London has become an international carnival, Chinese people have also attended the festival in different ways.
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Photo by Elenore & Evelyn
F
or Lu, a Chinese girl living in the city, it was her first time to take part in Pride in London, even though she is not LGBT. She was surprised at the inclusiveness of this society, she said:
“I feel shocked, also happy, and free. I feel the tolerance, as well as the equality and beautifulness of love. We are the same as the LGBT group. Seeing that they are marching for their equal rights, the confidence they show makes them look beautiful and makes me feel the goodness of life. This is a brand new experience for me who grew up in a different political regime, it even breaks my original mode of thinking, leads me to have a broader vision and a more inclusive heart. The rainbow is the refraction of the sun in the air, and love is the refraction of the sun shining into the heart. But love is more tolerant and gorgeous than the rainbow.�
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B
esides Chinese audiences like Lu and me, this year, there was a 'special'
gathering of Chinese people. They were called 'Queer+ Chinese'.
It is the first time that an organised group of Chinese people appeared in Pride in London, which is really a great thing. China is a big country with approximately 1.39 billion people. With such a population base, the number of LGBT groups is correspondingly large. I feel happy to see that even though Chinese LGBT people are facing some serious difficulties, they are still proud of who they are and what identity they have. The participants of 'Queer+ Chinese' were mainly students.
Unfortunately, I left London earlier, so I didn't see the Chinese group myself. But some people I have interviewed shared their thinking about it.
Photos left and above by Esther
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E
leanore is a straight Chinese student in the UK, and she has joined the 'Queer+ Chinese' group, even though she doesn't belong to the LGBT community.
“It was interesting to see that I was the minority when we first gathered for dinner, lol. I have volunteered before and I am studying the media, so I am very interested in this public issue. I saw that friends had shared the link of joining into the parade group from Moments (in We Chat), so I participated in the group from the beginning to the end. There were some unpleasant things happened before. As I can accept different ideas from everyone, I think everyone was very friendly and were the people who want to do something for the group. There is a Weibo post about the Chinese group, and I see a lot of people who really feel happy about this in terms of comments and forwarding. I think it is worthy; at least the happiness of the day is worthy. Some people are happy because it is a good thing. Many people really cheered for the team that day. I hope that friends who are troubled by this identity can resist the bad things in life. I am actually a person with more ideas. When I was walking in the team, I wondered what others thought about us. Did we get the opportunity to form this team because of our identity? Did people really need separating into so many different teams? In addition, I saw that most of the teams are actually companies, so I wondered whether some of the companies choose to speak out on this day for political correctness? However, I really felt happy and reconciled, even now.�
E
ggie is a Chinese student at another city in the UK. She had heard about the Chinese group before she came, she came to Pride in London not only for the festival, but for
the group itself:
“I knew that there would be a Chinese group this year before the parade. It was exciting to see the five-starred red flags the moment they appeared at the end of the road. I said to myself that I must give them the biggest applause and cheering. And I did! I believe a Chinese group taking part in such an event is an exceptional representation of the nation in the Western context (no matter what ‘West’ stands for). Carrying out a similar event in the mainland would be a task more challenging to accomplish. Yet I’m curious about how would the Chinese sexual minorities who are not from mainland China react to this. Although the group claimed to stand for ethnic Chinese LGBTQs, I couldn’t find signs of participants from other nations on-site.”
Photos by Elenore & Evelyn
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s a student studying filming, Da Xian tries to record the group. She took part in the parade as well:
“I participated as an audience last year, and this year I was in the parade. Last year, as a bystander, I felt that ‘Wow! This is such a nice society!’ I felt very excited, and I also shed tears of excitement. But this year I didn’t feel like this anymore. It is not a protest, but a carnival. The people who had the opportunity to enter the parade were proud of their identity, but the people who could not enter were protesting outside. There are advantages that Pride parades have emerged, and that other groups have formed, who are also known by people. I think this is also a good thing.”
E
sther is a journalist at UK Chinese Times. She went to Pride in London because of her job and her friend:
“My friend is in the group, and we had dinner together with group members. I feel like this is a good era in which everyone has a high degree of freedom and tolerance. There are no outsiders and everyone is very happy… In fact, many Chinese are working hard for LGBT, and they are very organised, but many people have never heard of it or seen it.”
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Two girls were kissing in front of the Chinese Embassy. One of the girls said: “Our group was stop-and-go, and we stopped in front of the Chinese Embassy by coincidence. Someone in the Chinese Embassy leaned out to see us, so we responded with a kiss... they also photographed us, we just wanted to show that we were not afraid.“
E
sther has also written a piece of
In fact, there are almost 100 LGBT
news about the Chinese group
communities
in
mainland
China,
appeared in Pride in London. Ethnic
however, only a small number of people
Chinese people from different countries
have
have attended the parade and shown
Shanghai Pride festival, the oldest and
their determination of being themselves
largest pride festival in the mainland, is
and fighting for rights and interests.
still largely unknown by most people. The
noticed
them.
For
example,
long march for full recognition goes on.
Article by Hanyu Lin Photos left and above by Elenore & Evelyn
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LGBT Mainland China
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There are indeed people who are helping to make this world better, but they are ‘walking in the shadows’. However, I think we all believe, indeed must believe, that a critical mass, ‘walking in the light’ will one day change things.
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M
ost people will be surprised when
the 11th year of the festival, the events
I tell them that there is a pride
this year were held from May 18 to June
festival in mainland China. Well, there is!
16, 2019.
Shanghai Pride is the first LGBT festival in
The festival has a range of different
mainland China. It was originally held
activities covering diverse fields from
from 7 June to 13 June in 2009 and
outdoor sports to parties, and arts to
became an annual festival. This year is
culture. Parades will not appear on the
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to the society. In addition to that, it would not cause the authorities to pay too much attention. After that, 'Rainbow Bike Pride' was held as an annual event as well. These two outdoor events have been supported by some clothing and sport brands, and appealed, not only to LGBT people, but also other friends of the LGBT community. With the help of several brands and consulates, the participants have increased from 3,000 in 2009 to approximately 10,000 now. Shanghai Pride has become a big family for those who have suffered from discrimination. Now through self-recognition, they are not alone when facing this world with a streets as the Chinese authorities do not
“special� identity given by other people.
allow such a parade to take place in a
Every year, the festival has a specific
city.
theme to share and discuss.
Organisers came up with the idea of
They have also filmed some stories about
the 'Pride Run' in 2013. It was the event
LGBT couples or their parents. If you are
that was extremely close to a parade to
interested in it, you can have a look on
improve the visibility of the community
their YouTube Channel 'Shanghai Pride'.
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T
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University and Beijing LGBT Centre
the majority of respondents think that
have done a survey which is called
minorities should be treated equally
Being LGBTI in China - A National
and should be able to access social
Survey on Social Attitudes towards
services, and there should be policies
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity
to protect them from discrimination.
and Gender Expression. More than
On the other hand, most people “do
30,000 people have taken part in it. The
not know” about sexual and gender
situation for LGBT people in China is not
minorities, so they don't have negative
really optimistic.
or stereotypical views towards them. This
he United Nations Development Programme, together with Peking
Only 5% of sexual and gender minority people are willing to live their diversity openly, others are still living in shadows. Most LGBTI people keep suffering from discrimination from different aspects, especially from their families where “low
evertheless the report also shows some positive aspects. In fact,
means that there is still a great possibility to shape people's minds and thinking towards sexual and gender minorities in a positive and equal way. Hence more education and information about these issues are seriously needed.
acceptance” or “complete rejection”
Due to the authorities' ambiguous
exists. In addition, sexual and gender
attitudes towards LGBT issues, it is hard
minority people are also suffering from
to say when and how education about
discrimination and difficulties when
sexual and gender minorities can be
they come to access the health and
improved in the future. What Shanghai
social services. Especially for those
Pride and other LGBT organisations are
people with HIV, they have to face
trying to do are basic things, building
difficulty in obtaining prevention and
blocks such as spreading information
treatment services as well as stigma-free
about LGBT, raising awareness about
psychosocial support and counselling.
LGBT people, sharing different stories
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about themselves, and offering help
There are indeed people who are
for those who have suffered from
helping to make this world better, but
discrimination and unfair treatments
they are 'walking in the shadows'.
due to their identity, etc. They are trying
However, I think we all believe, indeed
their best to influence and change the
must believe, that a critical mass,
general public's attitudes and thinking
'walking in the light' will one day change
about sexual and gender minorities.
things.
Article by Hanyu Lin Photos provided by Shanghai PRIDE
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Shackles Interview with the Co-founder of Shanghai Pride
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‘
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Our activity is to tell you the possibilities of diversity and spread the knowledge and power in this area, rather than thinking that this is a very strange and impossible thing. Everyone has a special identity. Raymond 31
volunteers, so I signed up. Then, everything started, to begin with selling souvenirs and checking tickets. Shanghai Pride was founded in 2009, hence all the events were small scale ones or just a single session, and the situation was still the same in 2010. Some of the founders asked me if I had time to explore more events, so I became more deeply involved in the festival. We wanted to develop the festival, including film festival, drama shows, the management of volunteers and so
M
y name is Raymond, I am a Malaysian, now I am the co-
founder of Shanghai Pride. I arrived
on, so we recruited more volunteers to make things more complete and more organised.
at Shanghai in 2010 for studying. At
As I am working in the field of sales and
that time, I just left my hometown, so
marketing, I can use my experience
I thought I could be freer, and it was
to assist the organisation with event
a great chance to explore myself or
planning or negotiating with partners.
to make friends. Google could be
This year is the 11th year of Shanghai
used in those days, so I searched
Pride, and our team has expanded from
some gay events in Shanghai. I found
approximately 10 people to more than
that Shanghai Pride was recruiting
30 people.
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I
t is still the same. We have always
such as education, forums, sports, films,
maintained the same direction,
theatre, talks, social activities and arts
which is to raise social and LGBT
and so on, to let people know that
communities' awareness and
the LGBT community is the same as
recognition of LGBT itself, and don't
everyone else, that love is the same,
regard it as something strange or
that people like people of the same
weird. Actually, it's more about
sex, or that they have different self-
improving awareness, and we hope
identification, not just boys and girls.
it can promote more tolerance and
Thus, it's an advocacy of diversity,
acceptance. Now we are still focusing
which is the target that we are aiming
on soft contents in different aspects,
for.
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However, we are providing such opportunities, focusing on the exploration of the body, the exploration of love, regarding self-identity, rainbow and the exploration of queer identity, which are very targeted. In terms of painters, artists, and filmmakers, this is
N
ot just art, but all aspects. If it is
more meaningful. They can express their
simply from art, it may be just a
views of the community. Or maybe they
way of holding events. Art is a necessary
had this idea when they created it, but
method to express an idea or to do
didn't know where to find such platform
some advocacy or to spread some
that was specific for the community.
knowledge. I feel that there is no reason
Whereas we can have such a relatively
why it is taken for granted. There are
targeted opportunity to expose and
expressions about comrades' issues
reach out to the community and the
globally and inland, and we don't need
public, so artists would like to support us.
to create something new, because these resources have always been there. Gay films have been produced all the time, it is a wasted if others cannot watch it, so we want others to have chance to watch them. The art is the same, some artists don't have opportunity to exhibit their works after the graduation exhibition or individual exhibition.
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but they have already surpassed this level. For example, the United States this year is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Movement, the United
I
think it is difficult to make direct
Kingdom also has a history of forty or fifty
comparisons. The domestic LGBT
years or earlier.
community, movement or activities, actually have a history of ten or fifteen years, and have different backgrounds compared to foreign countries.
If you want to compare cultures, I would say that one is a young culture, one is relatively mature. The reason why there is parade is initially more about a
Parades are the main form of foreign
state of resistance to oppression, and
pride festivals, but there are many arts,
there is no such state in this country. So
discussions and other activities as well,
it is completely different from cultural
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or historical reasons. From a parade
difference is that we focus more about
to hilarity at present, pride festivals
family or raising awareness. We are not
have become a tourism project that is
that political, so we are weak at rights
commercial or a carnival.
and interests. It's more about ego and family, or eliminating discrimination
However, we cannot do such outdoor
from children. In addition to that, we
gatherings inland, we don't have
also share knowledge about LGBT in
opportunity for a parade, other things
companies, to let more people know
are impossible, let alone LGBT parade.
about LGBT. We are doing these every
Outdoor activities are difficult, as well
year, so people around us are quite
as large-scale events, after all, we are
close to it, however, when we reach
just a not-for-profit organisation. Another
different communities, we find that
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many people say they don't have LGBT
home or private, which cannot be
friends. Some straight men and women
talked in public. Due to this, so many
even think LGBT doesn't exist, they don't
topics and issues cannot be discussed.
have LGBT friends, and this world doesn't
The situation abroad is different, people
have LGBT issue.
can express their opposition or support on the street. So it's not only about this
Thus, there is still a long way to go for
issue, there are so many differences
the education of this topic. Moreover,
between Chinese and foreign cultures,
this topic is relatively private in mainland
it's more different when you talk about
China or other Asian areas, because
LGBT issue.
people think these are the things at
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the relevant topic, or someone else
T
hey focus on cultural activities, because they have these resources,
and it's “cultural export�. Consulates would like to provide films, popularise and budget the cultural activities, or they want to spread their own culture, ideas and people and so on. It is a
with experience can communicate with us. We talk and discuss these topics together, such as transgender, queer identity, coming out, raising children, etc. Because of the content of the film, we will have some after-the-fact talks, to bring the topic together.
chance for cultural exchange, so we
We don't want people to go home
enjoy it as well. In fact, what consulates
directly after participating in the
take part in most are films. There were
activities. Instead, they can have some
11 or 12 consulates who took part in the
thoughts or can trigger some different
film module. They provide, suggest or
thinking, so that their lives can be better
help us to import films to the mainland,
and the process of self-identification will
and play films at their Cultural Office.
be easier. Perhaps they will have better thinking about their relationship with
The director or filmmaker or the local
family and colleagues, or think deeply
community has a person in charge of
about advocacy in this area.
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E
ighty or ninety percent of our
For example, the adoption or the birth
participants and organisers are
of a child is an uncommon topic for
locals. It depends on topics and
LGBT issues in the mainland, so we will
activities. More foreigners can be seen
try to find relevant resources to see if we
during parties and social activities. After
can help. We also invite some foreign
all, parties are common abroad. For
guests who have lived in Shanghai
Asians, the social is a very fearful thing.
for many years to take part in the film
On the other hand, if some topics are
module. Shanghai is an international
hardly discussed by local people, we will
metropolis with many resources. We
definitely invite some friends from Hong
won't say local people or foreigners
Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, Korea,
have to do specific topics, however, we
Australia, India, etc. we have guests to
utilise which resources, local or foreign,
share different topics and ideas in the
match our topics matters better.
local area.
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community is definitely a majority, and it should be 70% or 80%, the rest should be allies, straight friends, or parents.
W
e haven't done any research, but in general, it's the LGBT
community. Well, it also depends on topics. For example, there will be
T
his is also impossible to verify, we did not ask the people whether they
parents while talking about family,
are LGBT when they submitted their
coming out and children. If it's about
work. We will only set up limitations of
parties, then... so it really depends on
the works. They have to reflect the LGBT
activities, we haven't really calculated
community, diversity, the rainbow and
what identities they are. I think the gay
pride. We have no limits on the artist.
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continue to study graduate or doctoral degrees in gender studies; or go back to their own company to set up an
T
his is a great question. I can't answer you from the national
level. I think this is multi-faceted. What we are doing is some grassroots and community activities, and we believe
interdependent team of employees; or support the Shanghai Pride Festival activities every year; or organise a team of companies to participate, and so on. I think this is a very good thing.
that our participants are from students
It is hard to say how much influence we
to corporate executives, enterprise,
have on the country, but I think it affects
and government units. They will bring
many individuals. There are still many
their feelings after getting involved in
people we haven't convinced yet. I
the event back to their own schools,
think we can do basic work in the future
companies, units and departments. It
only when there are same-sex marriages
is difficult to measure the conversion.
or anti-discrimination laws to protect the
After attending our activities, some
gay community, or marriage diversity
students and volunteers decided to set
and so on. Now we are just making small
up the LGBT community at school; or
efforts.
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can do more things and contribute more to the local community. Or let more people know about LGBT so that they no longer discriminate against it, so I surely
I
n daily life, I will pay more attention
have paid more attention to this aspect.
to relevant information from all over
I hope that everyone will not wear
the world, good or bad. Even when I go
coloured glasses, and be more tolerant
to travel, I will go to know if there are
and accept the difference. In daily lives,
some communities and organisations
for example, if some people have used
that I can contact and communicate,
discriminatory words or sentences when
and then, we can get in touch, or have
we are communicating with each other, I
some exchanges in Shanghai. Shanghai
may point out and tell them it's not good.
Pride also has connections with 30 other
Therefore, for our volunteers, we all hope
social groups across the country. We
that everyone as a global citizen can be
contact with each other, exchange or
more tolerant and accept the difference
recommend resources. I hope everyone
between each other in the future.
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are certain limitations and challenges in this aspect. Therefore, every year we hope that more media, companies and community partners can join us, and more people come to participate in
O
our activities. This may be our simplest ur vision is still the same. Maybe it
and most direct goal, as there are so
you talk about the ultimate goal is
many people who don't know about
that there is no need of Pride festivals in
our festival. Every year, some people
the future. There are more than 20 million
come across and say that, “Thank you
people in Shanghai, 5% or even 1% of
for running the Pride Festival, it is my
them are LGBT people, that is also a big
first time to participate.� We are very
amount of people, however, only few of
curious. What have we done wrong
them have come to our activities, and
in 11 years? What is it that we haven't
not much forwarding or reading. There
done right? Why do they only know
are so many people that we haven't
about our activities at the 11th year? So
reached. So many people are closeted,
there are still so many things to do. Only
or have a heterosexual marriage, or
by persisting and continuing to hold
simply don't know about LGBT, or have
events, will more people know about
difficulties of recognising themselves, and
this. In addition, we have to wait for
so on. There is still too much effort to do.
the opportunity, to find out if there is a bigger media interest and companies
Our activities are limited by how big
will promote us and let more people
the venue is. A venue, which can
know to come to participate in our
accommodate 60 to 100 people, is
activities and let more people know
already a big venue. As a volunteer
about us. In fact, it isn't about knowing
group, it is already big enough to find
us, but knowing about LGBT, about
such a venue. We can't expect to rent
stopping discrimination and about
a gymnasium or exhibition centre to
diversity and tolerance. We are just a
hold events. We don't have ability to do
platform for everyone to have such
that, from capital or manpower. There
opportunities and activities.
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occasionally mentions it. Unlike foreign countries, there are such news from time to time, no matter how good or
I
bad. Domestically, it seems to be very t feels that it is not very optimistic,
peaceful, but in fact, nothing has been
sometimes advance and retreat.
reached. You cannot get married; you
Shanghai Pride Festival is held
are dismissed after being discriminated
successfully, but there are many
against because you don't have the
difficulties behind, for example, the
opportunity to secure employment. The
replacement of the venue. As our
employment security doesn't add sexual
events are gathering people, some
orientation, but only gender.
venues are not suitable for some gathering activities. In addition to that,
The next step may be at a higher
we are all volunteers, which means we
level, and related friends will work
cannot rent a venue as a company, so
hard in this regard. There are many
we have to rely on sponsors or venue
community organisations doing some
partners. On the other hand, the media
basic work, but when it will come to
is not really optimistic. In recent years,
make huge changes, or have specific
you may see the shielding of the word
laws and legal protection, this is hard
“homosexual”, especially in Weibo,
to say. Therefore, this matter still needs
as that is the biggest real-time media.
everyone to make a sound, to take this
But you may find it is fine with these
matter out for discussion and to solve it
“sensitive words” in a few days. When
in a positive way. This may be a better
the situation is serious, everyone will be
direction for all of us.
there and help to promote it. But when it's fine, everyone won't say it.
Specifically, the changes are in a stagnant situation, as there is no new
So, from the media point of view, the
law against discrimination, against
mainstream media doesn't report much
homosexuality and transgender, nor is
about the LGBT community, and only
there any related marriage promotion.
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So if you're talking about changes in
At present, what grassroots
this aspect, then everyone can see
organisations can do is to promote
that basically nothing has changed.
the community and raise awareness;
However, if you're talking about the
what companies can do is to
changes of people's thinking about
promote companies' protection of the
LGBT and LGBT communities, then
employees and equal employment
there certainly are, because so many
opportunities, or if the employee is
organisations are making efforts in this
bullied or asks for help in related areas,
country. As for how these advocacy
the company has resources in this
effects are, there is no way to measure
regard. At present, more focus is on
them, since we don't have a national
the efforts of the community and the
survey like overseas to find our whether
company.
people accept LGBT or not. Therefore, there is a big gap in this aspect.
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It took foreign countries forty or fifty years to reach the equal rights of marriage; by comparison, it is too harsh to reach equal rights of marriage inland with a history of
W
15 to 20 years of movement. It is already
ell, for the short period of
very good even though it can only be
time, I think it will be really
done at a half speed. If it is necessary to
great that every community, every
do this after thirty or forty years, it is also a
region can carry out activities similar
normal track, so there is no way to make
to Pride festivals or LGBT promoting
a direct reference. Moreover, foreign
events. In fact, I think it is especially
countries have experienced oppression
important to spread LGBT information
and rebellion to get an opportunity
and knowledge. In the long run, ten
to conduct social discussion, whereas
years or twenty years, I hope that the
our society is relatively calm and there
law on employment and marriage
is not much information, so it is even
and the protection of welfare will be
more difficult to bring such appeals and
promoted.
demands out.
46
C
oming out actually depends on
that they will accept it, it is unbelievable.
everyone. If someone can come
Unless they have already known it, or you
out smoothly and family can accept it,
have told them long ago, or they have
I think it is great happiness. However, it is
accepted it through some time. Therefore,
also necessary to look at your respective
time is definitely needed. As children, we
needs. If you feel that it is not suitable to
can't expect parents to be able to accept
come out, the family is more difficult to
it overnight, and it is somehow too unfair
accept, or your hometown is a traditional
for them. In this respect, it is definitely
place, then I think this also needs a
necessary to communicate. For Chinese
process with some supports, because
families, the child cannot be separated
there is no way to be born to understand.
from the parents and the parents cannot
When parents give birth to a child, they
do without the children. This is unlike the
envision the future of the child, a boy
Westerners, they can leave at the age
needs to marry a wife, and a girl needs to
of eighteen, completely different family
marry a good husband. They had these
models. If you are in a traditional family
thoughts 20 or 30 years ago while your
model and you still need to depend or
mother was pregnant, so if you tell them in
connect, the only way is to communicate.
a day or a few hours or a movie time that
If you failed once, then try the second
your son or daughter is a homosexual, and
time.
47
48
Interview by Hanyu Lin Photos provided by Shanghai PRIDE
49
‘
‘
We are all fundamentally the same, but only the gender of the loved one is different.
Gay Pride
51
O
n 17th May, 2019, Taiwan passed
started to be exposed in the mainstream
the Act for Implementation of J.Y.
media. “The appeal of the parade was to
Interpretation No. 748, which was signed
legalise the rights of gay partners, such as
by the President on 22nd May and took
the right to get married or cohabitation in
effect on 24th May, 2019.
law, the right to have or adopt children, and rights for elderly gay people. This
Taiwan has had annual Gay Parades
developed the hope that every gay
since 2003. The issues related to equal
person could have the rights to establish
rights were often discussed in the society,
a family freely. By discussing these issues
whereas the issue of marriage had not
of gay parents and relatives it was hoped
appeared frequently in the media. Not
that parents and relatives of gay people
until the topic “一同去家遊 Go Together”
can develop a deeper understand of and
was chosen as the main theme of Pride
support for the gay community.” More
Festival in 2006, had the issue of marriage
than 10 thousand people participated.
52
E
very year, the gay parade has different themes. For example, in
S
exual orientation should not be regarded as something special.
2016 I attended and the theme was
After the Constitution was released,
of “一起FUN出來——打破「假友善」，
Taiwan was in a wave of turmoil. A few
你我撐自在 (FUN coming out together
groups believed that this interpretation
– breaking “fake friendliness”, you
violated the traditional concept of
and I support comfort)” calling on
monogamy, others that it denied the
gay people not to be ashamed of
value of gay people. It was believed
their identity, but instead embracing,
that such identity groups belonged
accepting and loving yourself.
to social chaos and were not equal
Since I had realised my identity, I fell
human beings.
into a long-term self-denial, because, from time to time, there were social cases about people being bullied due to their sexual orientation. Besides, some people around me had negative thinking about people with different sexual orientation. Thus, I decided to hide my identity and alienate the people around me, which was a way of self-defence. After going to the university, I had a new circle of friends, and started to know some people who felt scared due to their sexual orientation like me. Then, I knew the Pride Parade. Therefore, collectively we decided to be brave for ourselves.
53
T
oday, I still remember the trauma of these things and felt very inferior. I
am always afraid that I will be accused of being too ‘girlish’ and too fat. Human being is a unique existence, and should not be differentiated by gender, sexual orientation, bodily form and personality, we are just a part of the world. From my point of view, Gay Parade is a step that many people bravely take. Compared to the more open environment in Europe and America, there are still some people who have traditional ideas and deny the value of our community in Taiwan. However, we hope the society to see that, over time, open marriage will not lead to imbalances of family. Generally, it all stems from love, and is due to the connection between each other. Putting down the hatred and providing us with the opportunity to understand each other is what Taiwan needs at present.
F
ocusing on Gay Parade issues, I interviewed two friends who have
participated.
54
Interview with Kai, Taipei
F
ull of emotions. During the parade, in addition to scanning everyone,
everything, and every object with my
I
n fact, I didn’t take part in the parade as a gay person, although
eyes, I especially thought about people
I followed the dissident society of the
I cared for each time. Not necessarily a
university every year. This caused me
friend, but a person I cared for and hadn’t
to see other meanings of my identity:
seen for a long time, such as people
my identity is diluted by groups. Even
being broken of relations, people I had
though I was in the parade, I had
affairs and lost touch with, people I used
no intention of coming out. At the
to like, or such. I would intuitively think that
beginning, I indeed intended to hide
they were attending this event as well,
my identity, avoid coming out, and
and I was looking forward to seeing them
even taking part in it as a “youth
again with the lens of my camera.
concerning about social issues”. But then I realised that there was no need
On the other hand, I also had other
to consider too much. Being a part of
thoughts, such as the critique of masculine
the parade is enough, I didn’t have to
of the parade, or the destruction from
be coy. Even my clothing and apparel
people ruining marriage and abandoning
were so plain that I became an
the family, but these were big issues,
anomaly in the parade – no dress up,
not my main concern at that moment.
and an at-home style. I used to be a
However, I would think about the different
hidden bystander in the parade, I am
moods I had in the parades of past few
actually, but I have the consciousness
years, and the scenes and situations I
of being a participant.
experienced each time.
55
the parenting exercises of heterosexual families, but also will bring their children back to the starting point and the path of the parade, and tell the story of how they fought for equal rights in those
H
appy to see it. Although the queers
years.
around me are sceptical about
gay people entering the marriage, my understanding of the marriage is more from the agenda of gender movement. That is, I am sure that the relevant bills on the equal rights of marriage, are promoting the acceptance of atypical gender communities in society step by step, and that they should have considerable rights and interests.
T
hings have progressed a bit more than in times past, but after gender-
related issues entered more into the political arena, the confrontation of the voices of support and those of
My friends around me are peers, so
opposition became more obvious
the marriage might be far from them.
and fierce. For example, in the 11/24
However, it can be seen that most of
general election last year, the gap
the comrades have more imagination
between those supporting or opposing
and discussions about having a family
the 14th and 15th Referendums showed
than in the past. Of course, there are
that the majority of the society was
some ironic and teasing sentences
actually against. Of course, the situation
as well, for example, congratulating
and reasons may be related to the
people on “entering the grave of
lack of understanding of gender by
marriage.� I can imagine that in the
most citizens as well as the one-sided
days to come, they will not only repeat
information of opponents.
56
I
will not use “conservative” to cover
above difference, from my point of
the opponents. Firstly, it is too arbitrary.
view, is that most elderly and middle-
Secondly, these opponents have
aged people have not received a
different life course and positions from
level of education within the system.
the younger generation. Standing on
Therefore, their views on gender-related
the position of intentional dialogue
issues are based on the past moral
with the opponents (even if I don’t
and ethical values, or their views of the
agree with Habermas’s theory of
gender interaction and connotation are
communication, which talks of lack of
limited to a gender duality framework.
class, ethnicity and gender awareness),
This is used to defame the gay
an empathetic attitude is still the first
community. At present, the action of the
step in opening the dialogue.
friends of the Taiwanese gay community
Furthermore, back to the inspection
is to disenchant this influence.
of society. One of the reasons of the
57
P
eople should not stop the criticism and cultivation of the community,
such as the introspection of the gay’s masculine hegemony, the radical lesbian community’s unfriendliness to the transfemale, and the masculine hegemony of the bears (heavily muscled body building gay men). The critical voices have gradually emerged, but I hope that such criticism and reflection can go out of the ‘college’. It should not just stay inside the gay community, but become an awareness of everyone in the society.
58
Interview with Weil Li, Taipei
A
ctually, I attended the parade in Taipei and Barcelona before. In
Taipei, the parade and the whole city
T
he parades of London and Cologne can only be watched nearby, if
did not have the same high sense of
you haven’t registered beforehand.
participation like Barcelona. It was more like
Participating in the parade is quite
walking or traveling. Urban residents were
different from being the spectator. The
still living their normal life, only when waiting
European parade is more like a carnival,
for the red lights, could they stop and
the general public has accepted
watch the event. However, the experience
diversity, and the parade is to let the
in Barcelona was very special, the residents
public be in a place to pay attention
on both sides would stand on the balcony
to and accept different communities.
and wave the participants in the parade.
However, the parade in Taipei is more
Comparing with both cities, Barcelona
like saying “how many such groups are
has the feeling of fun and acceptance,
in our city� and we must continue to
whereas Taipei is more like standing out to
stand up and let the public know. When
give a voice to its own rights.
you stand out as part of the parade, you will have to bear attention from others, because walking in the parade seems to be a group of people who are magnified and viewed by others, and every move may trigger different opinions.
59
T
he passing of same-sex marriage, as far as my sexual orientation
- Are you willing to spend a lifetime with me?
is concerned, I am very supportive of course. In addition to the future perfection of life, in the current moment of passing I felt the strength supporting me while walking out of my home, into the society. Besides, for the future, I have a clearer and more secure imagination.
G
enerally speaking, young millennials are more accepted. If you are in
a young company with an average age of 25~40, you can come out grandly. However, if you are in a large company, you will still feel worried. In addition, the most noticeable change is the “middleaged man whose son is not the samesexual orientation�. When I took a taxi or approached some business vendors, I heard they generally believed that people with same-sex tendencies were a living colourful life and attentive. We can know that the acceptance of LGBTQ in society is not only among young people, but also a part of people of higher ages.
60
- I do.
I
believe that the society has a potential stereotype for LGBTQ. A
more feminine physiological male,
Sex has nothing to do with beauty. I am a fat Bisexual, I am proud of myself.
a more masculine female, or many workers in the field of art, design, and clothing will be magnified, but this is not completely positively related to LGBTQ,
importance of this issue to comrades,
the public has thus neglected the old
should be the topic we keep working
aged, or people working in the field
hard on. No one should, for any reason,
of labour. There is a problem in both
be deprived of the right to love and
Asia and the West, in a labour-intensive
be loved. Everyone who comes to the
workplace, the LGBTQ group is more
world is only here for a matter of seventy
inconvenient to show their original
or eighty years. Compared to history or
look. Therefore, I hope, in the future,
the environment around us, we are only
LGBTQ is not the community that will
weeds. There is no need to spend time
be magnified and viewed in some big
to establish hatred and dissent, this is
way. The public should not have too
something everyone should be aware of.
much expectation or judgement for the diverse communities, but live with
I also hope that after a few years,
a diversity of groups of people with a
comrades can proudly speak their
more equal mind.
LGBTQ identity, instead of hiding or being forced to face the fear and torture of
Taiwan is the first country in Asia that
coming out. We are all fundamentally
has legalised same-sex marriage. This
the same, but only the gender of the
is an established fact, but how the
loved one is different.
society treats gay people, how to let the opponents put themselves in LGBTQ people’s position and understand the
Article by Chao Huang Translated by Hanyu Lin All photos by Yun Ching Liao
61
Acknowledgements Contributing: Interviewers and Writers: Photographers:
Chao Huang Hanyu Lin
Editor:
Hanyu Lin
Series Editor:
Kevin Ryan
Design Assistance:
Natalie Chabaud
Project Assistance:
James Chantry Kevin Ryan
Elenore & Evelyn Esther Hanyu Lin Shanghai PRIDE Yun Ching Liao
First published in November 2019 Copyright: Charnwood Arts and Individual Authors All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Charnwood Arts.
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Charnwood Artslink International Charnwood Artslink International was born in the early 1990s
through links with the Indian state of Gujarat and European twinning links between Charnwood in the UK and towns in Belgium, France, Germany and Poland. Since then we have worked with or promoted the works of artists from over 100 countries. We began this work even earlier, as since 1977, Charnwood Arts, an arts and educational charity based in the UK East Mildands, has worked with artists and organisations around the world to create scores of exhibitions, events, workshops, festivals, publications and projects. This current magazine project, initiated in the summer of 2013 was initially designed to involve people between 16 and 35 years of age in producing magazines about arts and culture in, or from, their home countries. The series is now open to people of any age who come forward with proposals for an arts and cultural magazine in this format. Most people involved in this project have no direct experience of producing a publication before undertaking the project and with support they are thrown into the deep end of undertaking ALL aspects of originating and producing the magazine for on-line distribution. All of the people involved in this project to date have been involved in face to face work with Charnwood Arts.
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