ShanghaiPride
![]() | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2009) |
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Shanghai Pride (Chinese: 上海骄傲周; pinyin: Shànghǎi jiāo'ào zhōu) is a week-long gay pride festival which is currently taking place in Shanghai, China. It is the first time the city has held an event of this nature and the first time a mass gay event has taken place in mainland China.[1][2] The event began on 7 June 2009 and will draw to a close on 13 June 2009.[1] Legal advice was sought by the organisers and they were informed that Chinese authorities might not approve of a parade taking place in the city.[3]
Events
The festival features events such as an art exhibition and film screenings. There is also a large 24-7 party hosted by a privately-owned venue.[3] 2,000 people from China and from outside are anticipated to attend a party at the end of the festival.[3] There is also to be a raffle to raise money for the Chiheng Foundation AIDS Orphans project.[2]
Organisation
The festival was organised by Shanghai LGBT community, although two of the moderators are American women, Tiffany Lemay and Hannah Miller, who have resided in Shanghai for several years.[3] They view their status as outsiders as an advantage to hosting the festival.[3] Miller, a lesbian living in the city since 2001, views Shanghai as "undoubtedly China's most liberal and progressive city" and is thus the reasoning for them hosting the festival in the city.[1] Lemay said: ‘…last year, we saw the Beijing Olympics described as “China’s coming out” party. Now China is really coming out - this time from the closet’.[2]
Promotion
Many people have indicated that the event lacks activism, with some comments on the festival's website calling for more visibility for gay people in the country.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "China Comes Out With First Gay Pride". On Top Magazine. 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
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(help) - ^ a b c "Eye on Gay Shanghai: Mainland China's 1st Pride event". Shanghaiist. 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e "Shanghai to show pride with gay festival". BBC News. 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
External links
- Official site
- ShanghaiPRIDE Blog
- GayShanghai.com, Gay Guide to Shanghai.