In 2001, the Chinese Society of Psychiatry declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Since then, social acceptance of LGBT individuals in Chinese society has grown steadily. However, barriers for the LGBT community in China persist in the form of workplace discrimination and school bullying. LGBT advocates in China continue to face challenges, especially as COVID-19 and other policies forced event cancellations and venue closures. Despite these difficulties, how have LGBT advocacy efforts in China progressed in recent years?
Two Chinese LGBT advocates, Xinxin Yao and Junmi Chen, join the National Committee in an interview recorded in July 2024 to discuss their grassroots advocacy, community-building, and changing attitudes towards LGBT in China.
Xinxin Yao
Xinxin Yao is an experienced activist for the AIDS and LGBT communities, having started his work during his student years. His many years of local community work have given him a deep understanding of what the community truly needs. Through his service and advocacy, he hopes to improve the living conditions of people affected by AIDS and the LGBT community, empowering them to have their voices heard.
Xinxin’s career includes significant contributions at the Weifang Oneheart Public Benefit Service Center, the only NGO in Weifang City dedicated to supporting LGBT youth. As project director and deputy to the board of directors there, he spearheaded various initiatives, including sex education programs in vocational schools, AIDS testing, legal aid for low-income female sex workers, and support for seniors impacted by AIDS.
Additionally, Xinxin served as the project director for the China AIDS Walk, a prominent fundraising event launched in 2012 to support individuals living with AIDS. His efforts included establishing the China AIDS Walk Leadership and Action Network, which received backing from multiple international organizations. Xinxin’s work extends to youth LGBT leadership development, participating in programs such as the “ai.bai Youth Camp.” His international experience includes interning at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he gained insights into global LGBT organizational strategies. He continues to build a robust support network by connecting with leaders from LGBT NGOs across the United States and China.
Junmi Chen
Junmi Chen is a visionary LGBT activist and documentary filmmaker whose work seamlessly blends art and advocacy to champion the rights of the LGBT community. With a deep commitment to LGBT youth development and trans rights, Junmi has become a prominent voice for change in China.
At the Beijing Gender Health Education Institute, Junmi championed transgender educational rights and coordinated significant advocacy projects. Their collaboration with legal experts led to groundbreaking work on rights to education for transgender people in China, highlighting their dedication to both legal advocacy and social justice.
In 2022, Junmi launched a transformative initiative against conversion therapy, providing psychological and legal assistance to survivors. This initiative reflects their unwavering commitment to healing and justice. As a queer filmmaker, Junmi’s artistic talents are vividly displayed in their documentary film, “XIAODI,” released in 2021. The film poignantly tells the story of a transgender survivor of conversion therapy and has been featured in numerous international film festivals, resonating with audiences worldwide.