Pro-gay Christian billboards in Texas

China’s first Gay Pride event

China’s first Gay Pride event, organised by Shanghai’s English-speaking expatriates, has been quietly celebrating homosexuality this week with no hint of a parade or advertising hype.

In a country where acceptance of homosexuality is still low, organisers — foreigners living in China — have been reluctant to draw official attention.

So “Shanghai Pride” does not include the colourful parade that typifies Gay Pride events in Europe and the US, but is centred around events held in private venues to avoid the need for government permission.

As a result, few Chinese appear to be taking part — or even to know about the events — and attendees have been mostly expatriate.

“Even though we have talked about (Shanghai Pride) for a long time, the news published in Chinese about this is only very recent,” said Xing Zhao, a gay man in his thirties.

Homosexuality has long been a taboo subject in China with gay sex decriminalised only in 1997, while homosexual behaviour was officially viewed as a mental disorder until 2001.

Those behind Shanghai Pride hope it will help change prevailing attitudes, no matter how incrementally.

See China’s first Gay Pride event AFP
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/chinas-first-…

Christian group loses subsidy for gay cure

Dutch Education Minister Ronald Plasterk says an orthodox Christian group will no longer receive a subsidy after allegedly attempting to cure homosexuality.

Plasterk said this week that the annual government subsidy provided to the Our Way foundation will be no more due to the Christian group’s suspected attempts to alter the sexual orientations of gay and lesbian individuals, Radio Netherlands/Expatica said Friday.

The Our Way group responded by claiming the religious organization does not support any other groups that target homosexuals and their sexual orientations.

See Christian group loses subsidy for gay cure
United Press International