“The party is afraid that forces outside its control had been changing the cultural landscape so much that it was going to change the sexual orientation or gender of China’s youth.” Now it wants to make young people “normal” and “healthy” according to its own vision, says Mr Longarino.Īnother potential avenue is conversion therapy, which is still legal, despite the efforts of Peng Yanzi, an activist. These policies reflect a belief among China’s leaders that sexual orientation can be socially engineered, says Darius Longarino of Yale University.
The education ministry has called for strengthening physical education to “cultivate masculinity” and prevent the “feminisation” of boys. This year it banned “boys’ love” dramas, a popular genre of shows featuring subtly romantic male friendships. Last year the top media regulator banned portrayals of “effeminate” and “sissy” men.
State media amplify Chinese nationalists who accuse lgbt groups of serving hostile foreign forces and corrupting young people.
