Members of Rainbow Group Randall Telfer Browns Jersey , an LGBT organization set up without official approval at Sun Yat-Sen University in 2012, unfold a rainbow flag in front of the Guangdong Science Center on May 17. Photo: Courtesy of Ah Shan Homosexuality is a sensitive word at Chinese universities. Even though these institutions are the frontline of gay liberation in China, administrators attempt to conceal any mention of LGBT issues. On campuses, many LGBT groups have found they can't register as legitimate societies. They try to maintain their presence, spread knowledge and seek equality all without any legal standing.
In order to survive and develop, they must be inventive and cautious.Over the past two years, they have written to more than 100 presidents of leading Chinese universities Seth DeValve Browns Jersey , calling on them to show their concern for gay students and to lift the restrictions LGBT societies face on campuses. Even though they have received no replies, they haven't stopped.
They are student volunteers with the Tongai (which can be translated to "same-sex love" in English) Network, an LGBT rights organization based in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province.
Xiang Xiaohan, leader of the organization, said that they plan to send letters to the presidents again on National Teacher's Day this year. "Without the recognition of universities, the campus groups are illegal JC Tretter Browns Jersey , and their activities can be easily restricted," Xiang told the Global Times.
There are no rules explicitly banning LGBT organizations from campuses, but administrators rarely allow them to register and acquire legal standing.
Back in 2006, Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU) in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province approved the registration of the first LGBT students' union on the Chinese mainland. But the university revoked its status the following year.
Even without official approval, however, many LGBT groups have been established on campuses.
"The presence of these societies on campuses is significant as college students will be backbone of the country after graduation Kevin Zeitler Browns Jersey ," Xiang said. He believes if students have a positive view of LGBT people, then this will have