Event Recap: ShanghaiPRIDE 2017 LGBTQ GROUPS OPEN DAY
LGBTQ groups from all over China came to Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai on 17-June to showcase and share experiences on the work they have been doing at where they are based.
The first LGBTQ Groups Open Day was first held in ShanghaiPRIDE 2014. It aims to bring together all LGBTQ Groups from all aspects in all geo-locations for experience sharing, networking, and at raising awareness of and improving acceptance towards LGBTQ communities in society.
Each group gave a self-introduction. Hong Kong groups Queer Love Camp and Community Business, focusing on social responsibility and advocating for diversity, gave an introduction on the services they provide.
Rainbow Anti-Gender-Based Violence Center, who recently published “Anti-Gender-Based Domestic Violence Manual”, Beijing LGBT Center, Anhui Wan’ai LGBTQ Community, and MilksFriends focus on shaping social views towards LGBTQ. Rainbow Anti-Gender-Based Violence Center managed to make the event more festive with the orange balloons they brought over. Beijing LGBT Center will be focusing on serving transgender and elders. MilksFriends introduced their psychological consultation services and their Speak Out event.
PFLAG China and Family Equality focus on family issues. Rainbow Law Hotline focus on rights of conceiving children for single women.
Besides shaping social views and family diversity support, the event also showcased hobby groups such as Rainbow Peer Outdoor and Shanghai Hyperbolic Singers. The first concert by Shanghai Hyperbolic Singers this year will be held at Shanghai Huangpu Theater on 24-June.
The event first showcased Disability Associated Women Group, focusing on LGBT people with disabilities. Other groups like Guizhou Qiancheng Workshop, Suzhou LesGo, Beijing Les Center, Love & Voice Recognition, BCome, Trans-life, Cross-Gender Crisis Assistance and Counseling, and Shanghai LBT NGO taught everyone the true meaning of diversity.
While Fudan University Zhihe Society has been joining us for the past few years, there were new campus groups joining this year, such as Commune of Sphericity of East China Normal Univeristy, Pridism of Shanghai International Studies University, X-Colour of Shanghai University, CAIFAN Union from Qingdao,
diversityUNNC, and Gay and Lesbian Campus Association of China, focusing on training educators on gender and diversity.
Shanghai Qingai focusing on Shanghai youth HIV/AIDS prevention and counseling, Shanghai CSW & MSM Center focusing on medical care and legal services, and Xinjiang LGBT Center shared their work on health education, disease prevention, testing, and consultation. Religion fellowship groups Rainbow Witness Fellowship and Xiamen Salt brought comfort to everyone in the venue with hymns.
There were also forums next door where representatives from the groups deliver more information on LGBTQ community to the public.
We would like to thank our committed volunteers and those who came to the event. Special thanks to Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai, British Consulate-General Shanghai, The DOW Chemical Company, and TrueBaby for their strong support for the event.
Please leave a comment to tell us your most memorable moment for the event!
