Lesbian film wins Chinese Oscar

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

A Hong Kong actress picked up an award for a lesbian film at the Chinese Oscars last weekend in Taiwan.

Nikki Shie won the best supporting actress prize at the 43rd Golden Horse Awards for the film “Reflections,” which documents a lesbian relationship that goes wrong.

The ceremony applauds Chinese language movies and gives recognition to Asian actors, actresses, directors, composers and writers.

Although homosexuality in China is no longer considered a mental illness, it is still taboo.

Earlier this year, China banned all screenings of gay cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain because of its “sensitive topic.”

Hong Kong decriminalised homosexuality in 1991 and recently lowered the age of consent from 21 to 16.

Compared to its Asian neighbours Taiwan has a more positive stance towards the gay community, it has previously backed same sex unions.