【Recap】Pride8 LGBTQ Groups Open Day
Shanghai, June 25th – A little rain did not stop more than 30 LGBTQ groups across China to meet-up, showcase and share with the community about their effort and progress.
The ShanghaiPRIDE LGBTQ Groups Open Day started in 2014 and is aimed to bring non-profit LGBTQ Groups of various interests in China together, creating a platform to communicate, share and interact. The platform is a collective effort to increase the awareness of LGBTQ communities in the society and promote acceptance, diversity and inclusion.
We are proud and excited to witness these organizations are learning from each other and will very soon collaborate with each other. Common Language shared their LGBTQ NGO Leadership Empowerment II 2015 and Rainbow Anti-Violence Program. Romantic Turn-Back and PFLAG which focus on parents and friends support gave the LGBTQ audiences advices regarding parent-child relationships. Long established groups like Shanghai Nvai, Beijing LGBT Center and Beijing Gender Health Education Institute shared their development and challenges.
It was a day filled with love. The Rainbow Witness Fellowship sang proudly and the Hyperbolic Choir dedicated 4 songs to the event and the crowd. LaCycles, an all-female cycling group, Shanghai Gay Tennis Association and Gezhi Waterboys brought more energy to the crowd.
Shanghai Qing’ai, SCMC, Chengdu Tongle and Yunnan Parallel share their work in promoting safe sex and public health to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and care for the infected community. University groups, such as Fudan University Zhihe Society, Rainbow Alliance of Jiangxi Universities also showcased their events and effort in creating awareness of gender and LGBTQ in school campuses. Among those who came from further cities, including Shenyang Lesbian Fraternity, Guangzhou Girlfriends Group, Snow Lotus Lesbian Center, Guizhou Qiancheng Group, Jiangxi LGBT Together Center, Lala’s Voice, Xinjiang LGBT Center, Sunflower LGBT Hangzhou and R&B Bisexual Group, Suzhou LesGo and Mr. Milk & Her LGBTQ Friends, shared their challenges when bringing together the community and local efforts.
QAFOne, Togayther and MOTSS shared with the crowd their work in increasing LGBTQ awareness via media and public exposure. WorkForLGBT, an organization that focuses on workplace equality and inclusion, and Rainbow Law Hotline, an organization that provides legal advices regarding LGBTQ issues also joined the Open Day.
Among the visitors, the UNDP China Representative, James Yang; Founder of Rainbow China, Cheung Kam Hung; LGBTQ Film Director, Fan Popo; Chairperson of Hongkong Transgender Resource Centre & Pink Alliance HK, Joanne Leung; and Founder of Organization Intersex International – Chinese, Hiker Chiu also came to the Open Day and interacted with visitors and the LGBTQ Groups. Quite a few allies were also present and mentioned that the Open Day was a great opportunity to let them learn and understand more about the community.
In the video Sir Ian McKellen recorded for Pride8, he mentioned that “It will be a long march, but you will get there in the end.” More work needs to be done by the LGBTQ community, we are on the right path and we will reach our destination.
Thanks to all LGBTQ Groups who joined the event. Special thanks to the British Consulate-General Shanghai and Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai for supporting Pride8 LGBTQ Groups Open Day.
For more event photos, please click “Read More”.
