Police Shut Down Mr Gay China Pageant Right Before Opening Night

You don't hear much about homosexuality in China, as with most other things that are considered "sensitive" in nature. China seems as close-mouthed about its gay community as it is about the amount of people killed via the death penalty. Granted, things have changed in China, in terms of gay rights, since the communist revolution when

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''' homosexuality was considered a disease from the decadent West and feudal societies, and gay people were persecuted.

Sodomy was decriminalised in 1997, and homosexuality was finally removed from the official list of mental disorders in 2001.

But even though they've made great strides in dealing with their gay population, there is still a great deal of prejudice and stigma attached to be being a homosexual.

So, it was rather surprising to hear that China was about to premiere its first Mr. Gay China pageant without any major obstacles. In fact, there was apparently quite a bit of media coverage, including the State-run press. And for a while it seemed a sure thing. It was sold out 3 days prior to the show, with tickets ranging from 100 yuan (£9) and 150 yuan. But, at the 11th hour, as the 8 male contestants vying for the "Mr. Gay China" title (and the chance to compete at the Worldwide Mr. Gay Pageant in Norway), were rehearsing, 8 policemen arrived to shut it down. I guess 1 cop for each contestant, as if they would put up much of a fight to warrant 8 of them.

The police contend they shut it down because pageant officials because they had not received official approval from the state powers-that-be. One of the contestants has another view of the situation:

"It totally has to do with moral standards and culture," said contestant Emilio Liu, 26. "If most people can't accept it, then the government won't let it happen."

It's not the first time this has happened. Chinese officials have a habit of shutting down events they consider 'politically sensitive", in other words against the regime, but gays were also not allowed to parade during the Shanghai Pride Festival.

Although the contestants and organisers were very disappointed, they weren't all that surprised. One contestant, Ben Zhang, said "I kind of saw that coming." And, as a performer, I can well understand their frustration.

It also appears that they are still planning to participate in the pageant in Oslo, next month.

Organisers still planned to send a China representative to Oslo and will probably ask the pageant judges to choose someone from the contestants, Ryan Dutcher, an organiser, said.

So, perhaps Mr Gay China will have his moment in the spotlight, after all.