
If you were to grow up in China, and go through the education system, you may find yourself learning that ‘homosexuality is an abnormal sexual mental disorder’, and would even be compared to bestiality or necrophilia. However recent breakthroughs have seen that perhaps public perspective could be shifting. A man in china, only identified as ‘Yu’, has been issued an apology from a mental institution in the Henan Province, after he was admitted by his wife in 2015 and forced to undergo treatment including injections and oral medicine for 19 days. Mr Yu had been diagnosed with ‘sexual preference disorder’, and the court had decided that if he ‘did not pose a danger’, then forcing him into a mental institute infringed on his human rights. Although the courts did not state any opinion on the practice of gay conversion, this is a significant step towards gay rights. In the run-up to London pride weekend, we look at landmark moments in Chinese gay rights.
Despite what seems like a recent hostility towards homosexuality, China seemingly has historically always had a conflicted outlook towards gay rights. Early poetry and novella seem display same-sex relationships alongside heterosexual ones, with perhaps one of China’s greatest books ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’, also known as ‘Story of the Stone’ displaying the relationship between two of its protagonists, Bao-Yu and Qin Zhong, as homosexual. Although this shows that it was in the Chinese consciousness from a very early time, it wasn’t exactly tolerated. The characters are bullied for the thought that they are perhaps too close, and the story displays a hostility towards the thought of homosexuality.
Perhaps the traditional view of sons as a vehicle to carry on the family name and reputation means that the idea of homosexuality especially in men conflicts with the traditional Chinese values. However views seem to be shifting. Although only 15% of homosexuals have come out to their families, (and over half of them received discrimination for it), attitudes are shifting. A recent study shows that only 9% of those born after 1990 would reject a gay child, as opposed to 35% born before 1970. In 2001, homosexuality was removed from the health ministry’s list of mental disorders.
History and Geography students should look the difference between the social and political views on homosexuality both in different periods of time, and in different geographical situations. English students should look at the way literature reflects the values of the society in which it is written, and how it can potentially push the boundaries of accepted opinion. Consider ‘Women in Love’ or ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ as western explorations of implicit homosexual relationships. Medicine students should look at how illness is defined, and how homosexuality was ‘treated’ through the ages.
More Resources
-
MLAT mini mock paper & answers The MLAT or Modern Languages Test is required by Oxford... Read more >
-
Classics and Arch & Anth Reading Lists If you’re applying for Classics, or for Archaeology and Anthropology,... Read more >
-
Download an English Personal Statement “My background as a student at a European School, including... Read more >
-
Download a Philosophy Personal Statement “Philosophy of the mind is my particular interest, especially the... Read more >
-
Law: answer like a pro Law is a notoriously competitive subject; this, along with the... Read more >
-
Maths Puzzle: a game of chess We asked one of our top Maths Oxbridge tutors for... Read more >
-
ELAT overview If you’re applying for English, or its joint schools, you... Read more >
-
February’s Top News Stories Read more about some of the biggest news stories to... Read more >
-
5 Easy Ways To Support Your Son Or Daughter Before Their Oxbridge Interviews The weeks before the Oxford and Cambridge interviews are a... Read more >
-
Music Reading List Applying for Music at Cambridge or Oxford requires a range... Read more >
-
What’s so special about Oxford and Cambridge? Both Oxford and Cambridge have fearsome reputations. The Oxbridge system... Read more >
-
Oxbridge: the global impact Concerning UK university admissions, UCAS have released some interesting stats.... Read more >
-
Stats report: our annual survey Every year, we survey hundreds of applicants who applied the... Read more >
-
Personal Statement Solution: Brainstorm Sheet Writing your personal statement may just be the grimmest part... Read more >
-
International Application Calendar Keeping on top of the various deadlines and decisions when... Read more >
-
Choosing The Right A-Levels Picking subjects at A level can be a difficult decision... Read more >
-
History of Art Reading List History of Art at Oxford and Cambridge allows you to... Read more >
-
TSA Cambridge Example Questions and Answers If you have completed the TSA Cambridge course report and are... Read more >
-
PPE: answer like a pro If you’re applying for Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) or... Read more >
-
Medical & Biological Sciences Reading Lists Medicine and the whole range of Biological Sciences are highly... Read more >
-
Philosophy Reading List If you are interested in Philosophy, there are several options... Read more >
-
Information on choosing a course at Oxford or Cambridge “Perhaps it is because Oxbridge encourages more ‘traditional’ A Level... Read more >
-
Taking a Gap Year There are a number of advantages to taking a gap... Read more >
-
What You Need To Know About A Level Reforms The A Level system that has been in place since... Read more >