china
Gay references cut out of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
China has censored references to Harry Potter character Dumbledore’s gay romance in the new Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore movie. Studio Warner Bros has edited out six seconds of dialogue from the Chinese version of the third film in the Harry Potter spin-off series. In the film, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Gellert Grindelwald …
Chinese Friends fans angry at censoring of lesbian mentions
Chinese fans of the American sitcom Friends made #FriendsCensored the most trending topic on Weibo until the censors also censored that. Fans became angry after Chinese streaming platforms censored lesbian mentions in the popular show. After the hashtag clocked over 54 million views on Friday night, the Chinese censors leapt into action. Searching for the …
On this day December 23: The Tianqi Emperor
Zhu Youjiao, born December 23 1605, reigned from 1620 – 1627 as the Tianqi Emperor. The 16th Ming emperor apparently subscribed to the ‘passion of the cut sleeve’. He kept one palace for his female concubines and another for the males. Homosexuality remained legal in China until prohibitions were introduced during the Ming dynasty, more …
China opens first trans youth gender clinic in Shanghai
The Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai recently opened China’s first trans youth gender clinic. Communist Party owned Global Times reported the clinic would ‘safely and healthily manage transgender minors’ transition’. The paper illustrated the article with an image of Chinese transgender superstar, Jin Xing, previously a decorated colonel in the People’s Liberation Army. …
Grindr’s Chinese owners agree to sell app by June 2020 after privacy fears
The Chinese owners of Grindr have agreed to sell the gay app by next June after demands from the US government over security and privacy concerns. Grindr calls itself “the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people” and claims more than 3 million daily users worldwide. The company is based …
Trans people are attempting dangerous self-surgery
A report from Amnesty International states that transgender people in China rely on self-medication for hormone treatment. In some cases, they even attempt dangerous self-surgery. Discrimination and laws classing transgender people as having a mental illness drive them to desperate measures. “China is failing transgender people,” said Amnesty International China researcher, Doriane Lau. “The authorities …
Grindr deemed ‘national security risk’ as staff concerned about user data security
The Chinese gaming company that owns gay hookup app Grindr, Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd, is trying to sell the app after a United States government panel reportedly deemed the company’s ownership to be a “national security risk”. Grindr, which claims more than 3 million daily users around the world, is based in California but …
‘It didn’t make any sense’: What China’s censors cut out of Bohemian Rhapsody
Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody has opened in Chinese cinemas with all mentions of the Queen frontman’s sexuality removed. Between two and four minutes of footage has reportedly been cut from the film, which opened last weekend in a small number of arthouse cinemas in China. Feili Xie, a 28-year-old from Beijing, told ABC News …
‘A long way to go’: What it’s like being LGBTIQ in China
Homosexuality in China has been documented since ancient times. Despite his marriage to Empress Fu, Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty’s closest relationship was with his male companion Dong Xian. He bestowed wealth and position on Dong and a devotion so touching it inspired a much-treasured euphemism. One afternoon a messenger arrived with important news …
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to be released in China ‘with queer content removed’
Oscar-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is set to be released in some Chinese cinemas, but reportedly with queer content and drug use censored. At least one minute of key footage in the film showing Mercury’s bisexuality are set to be cut, according to sources who spoke to the Hollywood Reporter, including kisses Rami Malek’s Mercury shares …