A week ago China’s first gay pageant was cancelled, on orders from the police.

The event had been hailed as a new chapter of openness towards the gay community in China, where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 and defined as mental disorder until 2001.

Here three gay men in China describe the pressures they have to live with and the compromises they have to make.

Michael Tsai, 23yo

I was going to be the host for the gay pageant Mr Gay China, but unfortunately the government has once again oppressed its people silently. It would have been a wonderful step but there is much more fear than understanding.

Although I wouldn’t call it discrimination, there’s definitely a pressure to conformity in Chinese society. The goal is to to marry and produce male offspring. Since the Chinese are allowed to have only one child there is even more pressure to conform.

Thankfully I come from a family of two boys and the need to carry on the family name has already been fulfilled. I am out to all my family, my friends and colleagues.

Although I do feel that the country as a whole has become a lot more tolerant, it isn’t necessarily more understanding

My family feels that if something is not spoken about then it either doesn’t exist or it will be forgotten. Even though they know I’m gay they still say things like “When you find your wife…”

I’m sure my parents are not thrilled by my sexual orientation but they seem to be dealing with it through denial and that’s perfectly fine with me.

China has become a get-rich-fast society, a society where you build up power and forget about everyone else. There are more things to worry about than who’s attracted to who.

Most of the older Chinese feel that being gay is just a phase and that eventually it will work itself out.

I don’t feel that there are any problems in China that I’ve come across. If we aren’t too loud and proud about it then the subject doesn’t even cross anyone’s mind.

Although I do feel that the country as a whole has become a lot more tolerant, it isn’t necessarily more understanding.

Read two more China gay’s stories at http://news.bbc.co.uk

A week ago China’s first gay pageant was cancelled, on orders from the police. The event had been hailed as a new chapter of openness towards the gay community in China, where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 and defined as mental disorder until 2001. Here three gay men in China describe the pressures they have [...]