Sierens China: The Chinese Rainbow

Taiwan has legalised the gay marriage. Mainland China back in terms of equality, however, several steps. This is not, however, in the first Line of homophobia or prudishness, says Frank Sieren.

On Taiwan’s streets, rainbow flags waving: the first Asian country, the island has legalized same-sex marriages. Legally homosexual and heterosexual couples are made there now, for example, in tax and insurance matters, or with regard to the custody of children. In the capital, Taipei, gay couples have, last week already trust. In the lightning of the newspaper reporter.

Tears of joy for homosexual couples in Taiwan – also you are now allowed to marry

Uncontroversial the decision was not: Conservative and religious groups had tried to sabotage the Reform again and again. In November, seven million eligible to vote in a vote against marriage for all. Nevertheless, The judgment is underpinned Taiwan’s special status as a LGBT-friendly Asian state. The Christopher Street Day in Taipei is now the largest Parade of its kind in Asia.

Anything other than heterosexuality is considered abnormal

In mainland China it is different. Homosexuality has been here since 1997 although officially no longer a crime, and since 2001 also not on the official list of mental diseases. Also, there are Dating Apps for homosexuals, and in the cities many Bars, film festivals, Advisory groups, and LGBT lawyers. Socially, homosexuality is not accepted for a long time. Other than heterosexual orientations are regarded as abnormal or at best as a “Phase”. Psychological counselors, and even medical textbooks to give tips to the cure of homosexuality – by the fastest possible marriage to the highly controversial and proven harmful “treatment”, such as the conversion or electro-shock therapy. According to a study by the United Nations do not want to come out of the closet 95 percent of the Gays and lesbians in China. This is not, however, in the first line in a repressive state, but much more on the social and family pressure.

DW-columnist Frank Sieren

Most parents and grandparents believe it is the duty of their descendants to continue the ancestral line – expectations have been reinforced by the decades-long One-child policy. Also the fear of AIDS and social exclusion is due to lack of information large. Because even if homosexuals are no longer persecuted, they lack the legal protection against discrimination. Heterosexual marriages of convenience, the parents happy, are in China, not rare.

The government, in particular since Xi Jinpings took office six years ago, however, the impression that homosexuality in China is not desirable. In 2016, a Chinese court rejected the lawsuit of a gay couple on approval of gay marriage. In the same year occurred largely without official justification, a new law in force which prohibits the representation of so-called “abnormal sexuality” in Radio, Film, television and the Internet. In the process, rape, incest, and homosexuality are on an equal footing. Talk Shows and Web series that deal in any way with the topic, are prohibited. The latest most prominent victim of the censorship of the Oscar-winning music film “Bohemian Rhapsody”: The biopic of the Queen singer Freddie Mercury was in China three minutes shorter. And also a bit confusing, because it is not just explicitly Homo-erotic scenes fell to the cutting to the victims, but also dialogues, and the allusion to mercury’s love to men. China showed the Film in the cinema – only 34 foreign productions are allowed per year – were celebrating some progress. Others, such as the one in Berlin exiled Chinese LGBT filmmaker Popo Fan, to say that it was in view of the considerable censorship, above all, a failed attempt, to show himself open to the world.

Marriage as the guarantor of social equilibrium

Prudery or homophobia, as they ruled today, in Russia or in China during the cultural revolution, but is not the reason why Beijing does not see such content like. The government promoted traditional family structures as a part of “socialist core values”, intended to ensure the stability of the state.

The pressure from Chinese society to grow, also allow same-sex marriage

China’s society is getting older. Despite the repeal of the One-child policy, fewer and fewer children are born. At the same time however, there is still no comprehensive retirement plan. The children and grandchildren of co-responsibility for social balance is also here. In addition, The government in Beijing fears any kind of criticism, which could make their claim to power out of the question, especially if the impression is that civil society groups are based in their work on foreign models. Assembly, bans and arrests of LGBT activists are not the rule, in the past few years, but again and again occurred.

The developments in Taiwan will have a major impact on the mainland, not to believe it is not in Beijing but. You have taken the Reform, “note”, said To Fengshan, the spokesman of the Chinese state Council for Taiwan Affairs. On the mainland, the marriage will continue to remain solely between a man and a woman. Since Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province, and a re-Association to the own conditions wants, the message is clear: This Form of equality – they, too, will be at the end of a Phase. The pressure from the Chinese society has, however, in a different direction.

Our columnist Frank Sieren has lived for over twenty years in Beijing.


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