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A recent crackdown on LGBT accounts on Tencent's popular WeChat platform has divided Chinese social media.
Dozens
of such accounts, mostly run by university students, had been deleted
on Tuesday night – sparking fears of a tightening control over gay
content.
of such accounts, mostly run by university students, had been deleted
on Tuesday night – sparking fears of a tightening control over gay
content.
The
closures have garnered a wave of online support for the LGBT community,
with many asking the student groups to "hang in there" and "do not give
up".
closures have garnered a wave of online support for the LGBT community,
with many asking the student groups to "hang in there" and "do not give
up".
But others welcomed the move, saying "it was about time" they were silenced.
China decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, but the LGBT community continues to face discrimination in the country.
On
Wednesday, at least two student LGBT groups have issued statements in
response to their WeChat accounts being removed, which included the
erasure of all their previous posts.
Wednesday, at least two student LGBT groups have issued statements in
response to their WeChat accounts being removed, which included the
erasure of all their previous posts.
The groups are known for advocating LGBT and gender equality, and providing support to students on campus.
"Our
activities will not stop due to the closure. On the contrary, we hope
to use this opportunity to start again with a continued focus on gender
and society, and to embrace courage and love," Fudan University's Zhihe
Society Fudan University's Zhihe Society said.
activities will not stop due to the closure. On the contrary, we hope
to use this opportunity to start again with a continued focus on gender
and society, and to embrace courage and love," Fudan University's Zhihe
Society Fudan University's Zhihe Society said.
Meanwhile, Tsinghua University's Wudaokou Purple said that although it was "frustrated" that its "years of hard work" had been "burned" at one go, it has only made them closer.
The schools are two of China's top institutions.
The
US State Department told reporters on Wednesday it was "concerned" that
the accounts were deleted when they "were merely expressing their
views, exercising their right to freedom of expression and freedom of
speech".
US State Department told reporters on Wednesday it was "concerned" that
the accounts were deleted when they "were merely expressing their
views, exercising their right to freedom of expression and freedom of
speech".
But other Chinese social media users celebrated the move.
"I
don't mind it if the LGBT community quietly does their own thing, but
why do they have to keep shoving their ideals in my face through these
groups? It's right to shut them down," one person said on Weibo.
don't mind it if the LGBT community quietly does their own thing, but
why do they have to keep shoving their ideals in my face through these
groups? It's right to shut them down," one person said on Weibo.
'Growing intolerance'
Many
of the closed WeChat accounts display messages saying that they had
"violated" Internet regulations, without giving further details.
of the closed WeChat accounts display messages saying that they had
"violated" Internet regulations, without giving further details.
The account names have also been deleted and just read "unnamed".
"After receiving relevant complaints, all content has been blocked and the account has been suspended," the notice said.
The crackdown is the latest example of what some call growing intolerance toward the LGBT community.
Last
year, Shanghai Pride week, modelled on Pride events in the West, was
cancelled without explanation after 11 years of it going ahead.
year, Shanghai Pride week, modelled on Pride events in the West, was
cancelled without explanation after 11 years of it going ahead.
In 2019, the Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody was released in Chinese cinemas, but references to the Queen singer's sexuality and AIDS diagnosis were cut.
In 2018, Weibo said all posts related to homosexuality would be taken down, although it backtracked after massive outrage.
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