Desire to promote gay rights keeps Chinese in the motherland
Young Beijinger worked in finance and could have emigrated but decided to stay in China to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual rights
Jiang Jianlong, 31, lives what most Beijingers would consider a privileged life. He works for a private-equity firm that invests in luxury businesses in Europe. He speaks French, enjoys wine and appreciates contemporary art.
He spent several years in Africa and Europe. And while many mainlanders with such a background might seek to emigrate, Jiang has chosen to stay in China. He wants to bring about change in his homeland and improve the rights of gay people, like himself.
I suffered major depression after graduating from Peking University, where I studied French and economics. I was depressed because I had some unpleasant experiences while trying to organise a gay film festival.
I resented having to do what the government wanted and I felt a deep hatred towards society in general.
Also, the fact that someone whom I loved could not return that love didn't help. So I felt I wanted to get out and be somewhere totally different.