04/03/2007
Groundbreaking Gay Web/TV Show Launched in China
Tongxing Xianglian or Connecting Homosexuals, China's first show dedicated to gay issues, is set to launch on Thursday, according to the Associated Press: "The new show will explore homosexuality from legal, parental and sociological perspectives, dealing with issues like gay marriage...The program will also feature a friend-matching portion."
The show's host, Didier Zheng, is a France-educated activist at the Chi Heng Foundation, a group which works to fund AIDS education programs and help those afflicted with the disease. Said Zheng: "I hope to convey my love in caring for gays, my hopes for them to get better recognition in society."
The show's producer, Gang Gang, said that the goal of the show is to put a public face on homosexuality and improve Chinese understanding of gay people. Said Gang: "There are many people in China's gay community, but people don't have a deep enough understanding about this community. This community faces a lot of trouble and difficulties. They face a lot of pressure."
According to China News, Qiaoqiao, the owner of the "Feng" lesbian bar in Beijing, and the first Chinese lesbian singer to come out, will be the show's first guest.
After being broadcast on the web at Phoenix TV, clips from the show will air over satellite TV, though may face censorship from the Chinese government. The extent to which the show may be censored is unclear.
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Posted 10:29 AM EST by Andy in China, Didier Zheng, News, Qiaoqiao, Television | Permalink
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Given China's human rights record over the last century, this is an impressive undertaking. Does anyone know how we can help support and highlight this development?
Posted by: FASTLAD | Apr 3, 2007 10:45:40 AM
This is so amazing.
I would love to know more about how this show is produced.
I wish them luck.
Posted by: Marc | Apr 3, 2007 12:18:07 PM
This is so amazing.
I would love to know more about how this show is produced.
I wish them luck.
Posted by: Marc | Apr 3, 2007 12:18:10 PM
I know this may come as a surprise, but China also has a long history of not really giving a damn what you do as long as you're not interfering with what the government does. Like, feel free to make as much money as you like, just don't even think about telling the government that your bank loan that was called in was an unfair business practice. It's sort of their own special brand of DADT.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Apr 3, 2007 12:21:32 PM
Good for the Chinese! It is encouraging to know that a society like that of China is moving with other world players towards gay recognition
Posted by: Nick | Apr 3, 2007 2:43:39 PM
Great to see the gay community is moving forward that that country.
I'm still angry that the Chinese government no longer allows gay parents to adopt children.
Posted by: Jack! | Apr 3, 2007 7:22:28 PM
Thanks for reporting this news. I'm still speechless about it.
To celebrate this Andy, I think you should start featuring more Asian hunks on the blog!
http://asianheartthrob.blogspot.com
http://filipinohunks.blogspot.com
Posted by: Da | Apr 4, 2007 1:17:15 AM