A New Human Rights Crisis: The Growing Online Persecution of LGBTQ+ Communities in China

A New Human Rights Crisis: The Growing Online Persecution of LGBTQ+ Communities in China

Jin Xing's Stand for LGBTQ+ Rights in China Triggers Fierce Backlash and Censorship**

Jin Xing, an acclaimed dancer, TV host, and prominent transgender figure in China, has recently faced significant professional and social repercussions for her vocal support of LGBTQ+ rights. Known for her outspokenness, Jin’s recent displays of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community have sparked heated public backlash, reflecting China’s increasingly restrictive stance on LGBTQ+ expression.

Performance Cancellations and the Rainbow Flag Incident

Jin Xing’s December 2024 performance of Sunrise, set to take place in Guangzhou, was canceled unexpectedly, with the local Culture and Tourism Bureau denying approval. Many speculate that the decision was influenced by Jin’s support for LGBTQ+ rights, notably when she waved a rainbow flag on stage during an earlier performance. Initially, Jin claimed she had taken the flag from an audience member to prevent a disturbance, but a video later surfaced showing her raising the flag and declaring, “Love is love, regardless of gender,” which drew applause from the crowd. The footage led to accusations from netizens, who claimed she was concealing her pro-LGBTQ+ beliefs.

Escalating Backlash and Social Media Reactions

The video quickly went viral, fueling criticism on social media and attracting condemnation from influential Chinese voices, or key opinion leaders (KOLs). Many accused Jin of betraying Chinese cultural expectations and argued her actions were influenced by Western ideologies. The backlash only intensified after another of her scheduled performances, a commemorative staging of The Cherry Orchard planned for November 2024, was also canceled due to “careful consideration.” This series of cancellations underscores a shift in China’s entertainment industry, where any form of LGBTQ+ support faces significant scrutiny and suppression.

Influential KOLs Amplify Anti-LGBTQ+ Sentiment

Jin’s experience is part of a larger trend where Chinese KOLs on platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou are amplifying anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Mei, a middle-aged lesbian in China, observed that LGBTQ+ voices have been virtually silenced online due to intense backlash. Even mainstream influencers on topics such as economics, finance, and politics have begun to denounce LGBTQ+ rights, often framing them as foreign ideologies designed to destabilize China. The rhetoric is frequently extreme, with some influencers alleging that LGBTQ+ movements are part of an anti-China conspiracy backed by Western—often specifically Jewish—interests.

Under such videos, the comment sections reflect deeply ingrained anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, filled with inflammatory remarks that often go unchecked. Viewers post comments such as “LGBT is against the God,” “Gays should be kil***,” “Get them out of China,” and “LGBT is so disgu****.” Shockingly, despite China's stringent online censorship policies, these hateful remarks remain visible and uncensored, further fueling the hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals in China. The lack of moderation on such hateful comments underscores the severity of the situation, as government censorship seems selectively enforced, allowing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric to proliferate freely while silencing supportive voices.

Some more moderate influencers argue that China offers a degree of tolerance towards LGBTQ+ individuals compared to countries that still criminalize their existence, allowing many to live relatively normal lives. However, even these more temperate voices acknowledge that being a minority means they cannot demand the same rights as the sexual majority, such as same-sex marriage.

One of the most vocal figures in this wave of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is a KOL known as "Italian Chic Mom," a Chinese woman living in Italy who frequently criticizes LGBTQ+ rights. Despite residing in a country that legally supports LGBTQ+ rights, she has been vocal about her belief that such rights would promote “illegal prostitution, gambling, and drugs” if allowed in China. In her most popular videos, she insists that LGBTQ+ advocacy is part of a grand Western strategy to influence and destabilize China and argues against both same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ adoption rights.

Current LGBTQ+ Challenges in China

LGBTQ+ rights in China continue to face legal, social, and cultural barriers, with increasing levels of censorship and stigmatization. Key issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community include:

1. Increased Censorship: China has intensified censorship of LGBTQ+ content, banning Pride events and disbanding organizations like the Beijing LGBT Center since 2021. Online platforms strictly censor any positive LGBTQ+ content, severely limiting visibility and representation.

2. Legal and Social Restrictions: There is no legal recognition of same-sex marriages in China, and protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation are absent. These gaps in legal protections leave LGBTQ+ individuals vulnerable to discrimination in various social settings, including the workplace.

3. Surveillance and Intimidation: Displays of LGBTQ+ support, such as waving a rainbow flag, are often suppressed by authorities. Activists report that police questioning, monitoring, and restrictions create an atmosphere of intimidation for those supporting LGBTQ+ rights.

4. Limited Media Representation: LGBTQ+ themes in film and media are heavily restricted. Movies like Labyrinth, which explores LGBTQ+ themes, face limited promotion and release challenges due to censorship, limiting public awareness and acceptance.

These restrictions indicate a governmental focus on limiting LGBTQ+ expression, affecting both the safety and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in Chinese society.

An Emerging Wave of LGBTQ+ Emigration

In response to the repressive climate, many LGBTQ+ individuals are now looking to emigrate to more accepting countries in Europe and North America. Mei, a lesbian professional, shared her struggle to live openly in China, where disclosing her sexual orientation could lead to workplace harassment or even ostracism from her family. She expressed a desire to move to Europe, where she could contribute meaningfully to a society that respects her identity. “It’s not about fame or money—it’s about being treated as a person,” she said, reflecting a sentiment held by many in the Chinese LGBTQ+ community.

The rising trend of LGBTQ+ emigration to the West is motivated by both the restrictive policies and the pervasive social stigma that LGBTQ+ individuals face in China. Europe, in particular, has become a common destination for LGBTQ+ Chinese individuals seeking asylum. However, migrants face unique challenges abroad, including discrimination within asylum processes and limited support networks. This growing exodus illustrates a significant shift as Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals seek freedom to express their identities in safer, more supportive environments abroad.

A Broader Cultural Crackdown

The backlash against Jin Xing’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights sheds light on the broader challenges faced by sexual minorities in China, where public expression of LGBTQ+ identity and advocacy is increasingly risky. As Jin’s experience underscores, the consequences of supporting LGBTQ+ rights in China can be severe, with individuals risking public condemnation, professional setbacks, and social ostracism. Amid this tightening landscape, the Chinese LGBTQ+ community finds itself at a crossroads, with many contemplating emigration as the only viable path toward a life of safety, respect, and self-expression.