China: Country's On Again, Off Again Relationship With Gay Culture

STUTTERING improvements for gays in Chinese society have been dealt another setback after the country's first Mr Gay China contest was shut down by the police on Friday night in Beijing, an hour before it was to begin. It's the third time in the past six months that openly gay events have been thwarted by authorities. In June, the inaugural Gay Pride festival in Shanghai was forced off the city's streets and on to private premises, leading to the cancellation of some events. Last November the opening of a gay bar in the southwestern resort town of Dali was delayed after a wave of publicity across the country put focus on the small venue, making local authorities nervous. As punters began to arrive on Friday night, and five of the original eight contestants readied themselves for a three-round event at the plush Philippe Starck-designed restaurant and bar complex LAN, police moved in to close down proceedings, saying it was a "sensitive issue" and that the promoters -- local group Gayographic -- did not have the right permits. Full Story from The Australian

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