Artslink International - Ethnic Chinese 2019

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Charnwood

RTSLIN Ethnic Chinese 2019

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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


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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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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‘

‘

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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A

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


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

N

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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‘

‘

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.

62


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.

Charnwood

RTSLIN Ethnic Chinese

K

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Charnwood Arts acknowledges core support from Arts Council England and Charnwood Borough Council.


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