customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Phoebe Zhang

When Xiaomi, a member of the LGBT community, heard that Shanghai Pride week was halting all future events, they felt as if “a building had collapsed to the ground”.
“No more, there are no more public large-scale LGBT activities in the Chinese mainland,” they said.
The annual festival in Shanghai started in 2009, when it was organised by a few volunteers. It was modelled on the Pride events that have long been a part of the social calendar in many Western countries.
Over the past 11 years it has grown significantly to become a showcase for art, theatre and film, job fairs, discussions and even bicycle rides.


Xiaomi took part in last year’s activities and was surprised at the scale and influence of the festival. It had become not only a regional event, but an LGBT holiday across China and other parts of Asia-Pacific, they said.
“Pride week gathered people together, watching films, partying, playing sports, discussing all sorts of topics – anti-discrimination, gender equality, marriage, rights for people with disabilities,” Xiaomi said.

But on Thursday, the organisers of Shanghai Pride said they were taking an indefinite break. The news came amid speculation of mounting pressure from the authorities and a narrowing of the space for LGBT activism in China.
“Shanghai Pride regrets to announce that we are cancelling all upcoming activities and taking a break from scheduling any future events,” it said on WeChat.
“We love our community, and we are grateful for the experiences we've shared together. No matter what, we will always be proud, and you should be, too.”


The organisers did not respond to an interview request from the South China Morning Post.
Just last month, the organisers published a series of articles about the success of the 12th festival, which ran from June 13-21 with the theme “Raise the Pride”.
Highlights included sharing sessions on how to make companies in China more diverse and inclusive, queer and drag parties, and personal stories from individuals.
“We hope to see everyone at Shanghai Pride 2021!” the organisers said at the end of the article.
Unlike the Western celebrations, most Shanghai Pride activities are held indoors to avoid generating too much attention from the authorities. The Pride Run is the only public event.


China decriminalised homosexuality in 1997 and removed it from a list of mental disorders in 2001. But same-sex marriages are still illegal, there are unspoken rules on censorship of LGBT topics and discrimination runs deep in many aspects of society.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the event’s film festival and art shows were originally planned to be held later this summer.
Activists and former participants said they were disappointed to hear about the halt to future events.
“Pride Week used to be unbridled, charming and full of zest,” said an activist who asked not to be named.
“I’m sad about parting ways, as well as about the shrinking space for the LGBT community. The organisers have taken on a load of pressure and unspeakable difficulties.”
The activist said they had organised events at the festival that were attended by about 400 people. The organisers also brought in large companies and NGOs, which was great for making connections, they said.


Xiaomi said that when the festival started 11 years ago, almost all of the people taking part were foreigners. But more Chinese joined as the event and a sense of local pride grew.
“For many, Shanghai Pride has become part of the city, and is an important event in June,” they said. “It’s a blow to the Chinese LGBT community and Shanghai’s loss.”
Xiaomi said other LGBT events had been forced to close, including the NGO Chengdu Milk, which the organisers said in October had to shut down “due to irresistible forces”.
“Thank you all for your support and suggestions in the past three years,” it said. “Winter is coming. We hope there may be a time when we might meet again.”
Thousands show up for pride parade on LGBT rights in Hong Kong
The NGO organised many activities in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan province and a city known as liberal-leaning by the public. It also worked to increase the visibility of the LGBT community in higher education institutes, raised public awareness through forums and film screenings, and held the annual Speak Out convention, an event similar to TED Talks, where prominent LGBT figures are invited to speak publicly.
Xiaomi said organisers might in the future have to be more cautious in their event planning.
Others said they would be sad to see the event go.
“I’ve always thought Shanghai Pride week was an activity that shows what an international metropolis Shanghai is, and how tolerant Shanghai is,” said Sun Wenlin, an LGBT activist.
“I’ve always looked forward to the mayor taking part in it some day.”
 


Transgender traffic police get the green light in India’s Telangana state

Hong Kong bank sues estate of deceased man behind legal fight for same-sex rights

How Hong Kong-based drag queen La Chiquitta was ‘a rainbow over Victoria Harbour’

Pakistan’s transgender community get its first ride-sharing service

LGBTQ

Shanghai Pride cancelled after 11 years in blow to China’s LGBT community

Shanghai Pride has cancelled all future events. Photo: Weibo

After 12 years of cautious operation, the Shanghai Pride week announced an indefinite break from future activities on Thursday, among public speculation of mounting pressure from authorities and narrower space for LGBT activism in Chin Photo:Weibo

Gay conversion therapy outlawed in Australia’s Queensland in boost for LGBT rights

Queensland has become the first state in Australia to criminalise so-called gay conversion therapy. Photo: DPA

Hong Kong’s LGBT community more depressed, anxious amid stay-at-home arrangements, survey finds

A rainbow flag flies at Hong Kong’s 2019 Pride Parade assembly in Central. Photo: Felix Wong

News

China

People & Culture

Knowledge

Topics

LGBTQ in China

Explainers

LGBTQ Rights


Organisers are ‘taking a break from scheduling any future events’, they say in social media message
‘We love our community, and we are grateful for the experiences we've shared together. No matter what, we will always be proud, and you should be, too,’ they say



Organisers are ‘taking a break from scheduling any future events’, they say in social media message.


Shanghai Pride cancelled after 11 years in blow to China’s LGBT community

Organisers are ‘taking a break from scheduling any future events’, they say in social media message ‘We love our community, and we are grateful for the experiences we've shared together. No matter what, we will always be proud, and you should be, too,’ they say

Organisers are ‘taking a break from scheduling any future events’, they say in social media message

‘We love our community, and we are grateful for the experiences we've shared together. No matter what, we will always be proud, and you should be, too,’ they say