LGBTQ+ rights in China: In a video from Shenzhen, China that has gone viral, shows a police officer angrily confronting a man wearing a skirt. The officer, visibly disgusted, told the man to either leave or face arrest, labeling his behavior as degenerate. This incident underscores the deep-rooted challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in China, where both legal and social hurdles persist.Legal struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in ChinaWhile same-sex activity is legal in China for both men and women, same-sex couples face significant barriers. They are unable to marry or adopt children, and households headed by LGBTQ+ couples are not granted the same legal protections as their heterosexual counterparts. Furthermore, Chinas legal system lacks explicit anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, and hate crime legislation does not cover sexual orientation or gender identity. This leaves the community vulnerable to both social and institutional discrimination.A long history of HomophobiaHomosexuality and homoeroticism have been documented in China since ancient times. However, societal attitudes towards homosexuality have been shaped by periods of intense discrimination. Historical bans, such as the one imposed by Genghis Khan during the Mongol Empire, made male homosexuality punishable by death.By the 17th century, under the Manchu-ruled Qing dynasty, the courts began referring to homosexual anal intercourse as jījiān. A decree passed in 1740 criminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults, with offenders facing a month in prison and 80 lashes with heavy bamboo.Evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in Modern ChinaInterestingly, homosexuality was not criminalized during Maoist China from 1949 to 1976. By the 1980s, as the country opened up, homosexuality reentered public discourse, and gay identities began to gain visibility. However, even as LGBTQ+ communities expanded, traditional views on family obligations and ongoing discrimination deterred many from publicly coming out.In recent years, LGBTQ+ representation in China has faced growing censorship. Authorities have increasingly banned portrayals of homosexual relationships on public television, and effeminate men are often barred from media appearances. This clampdown has intensified under President Xi Jinping, with LGBTQ+ venues and events facing closures, and activists coming under heightened surveillance.Increasing surveillance and crackdownsSince the late 2010s, Chinas LGBTQ+ community has been subject to increasing scrutiny. The Xi administrations mass surveillance system has targeted LGBTQ+ activists, forcing many events and venues to shut down. This growing crackdown reflects broader efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ rights in a nation where traditional and state-controlled ideologies continue to overshadow individual freedoms.Video of the incident goes viral on social media platformsThe video of the incident was posted by an X user named Lauren Witzke with a caption that read, A disgusted Chinese cop in Shenzhen told a man in a skirt to get lost or get arrested for his degenerate behavior. This is how every cop in the West should react.A disgusted Chinese cop in Shenzhen told a man in a skirt to get lost or get arrested for his degenerate behavior.This is how every cop in the West should react. pic.twitter.com/Un80tyNNhW— Lauren Witzke (@LaurenWitzkeDE) October 4, 2024
