ShanghaiPRIDE Reaches a Milestone – Ten Years
Shanghai, June 18, 2018— ShanghaiPRIDE celebrated Pride10 from June 8 to June 18 with warm-up events in March, April, May, and early June, bringing together over 8000 attendees under the theme “Our Community | Our Identity | Our Pride.”
Despite a few last-minute venue changes, the organizers managed to find new venues to keep the festival going. This year’s festival marked a major milestone — the inauguration of CnPRIDE — which launched similar Pride events and festivities across the country.
ShanghaiPRIDE 2018 raffle ticket sales will be donated to Trans-Life from Beijing, TransTalks from Shanghai, Trans Sanctuary from Nanjing and Trans Center from Guangzhou, in hopes of contributing to gender diversity and Trans rights in China.
Long-term Gold Sponsor, Wunderman Shanghai, launched a meaningful and heartfelt “We Are All One Family” campaign specially for the 10th ShanghaiPRIDE. In Chinese society, 85% of the population share as few as 100 surnames. The Chinese LGBTQ community is also part of it sharing the same values and striving for equality. The number 10 (十 in Chinese) in rainbow colors, tells stories of diversity and inclusivity. Each story is a tale of acceptance and pride. We hope that everyone can realize their connection with the LGBTQ community, and everyone can support each other.
“This year’s ShanghaiPRIDE festival has been 10 years in the making and it is dedicated to all the volunteers, organizers, sponsors, and participants from past and present who got together to celebrate diversity,” said Charlene Liu, Co-founder, at the launch of the Pride10 Anniversary Gallery.
Here is an account of the festival by event
Rainbow Bike Ride
Pride Season kicked off on May 19 with the Rainbow Bike Ride, following riders from six locations across the city to meet up at RIINK, where participants came together to celebrate unity and acceptance to remember IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia). Thank you OneWorld Healthcare, EMMA&TOMS and RIINK for supporting.
跨儿骄傲节
TransPride
The first TransPride in Mainland China was held on June 2 at 8Art Hotel. The day-long event featured film screenings, musical entertainment, and courageous panelists. Speeches about the Trans Movement in China were delivered by Kacchan from Trans Talk, Yuxue Feifei from Trans Life, Joanne Leung from Transgender Resource Center and Zhuo Huichen from the Trans Center. Speeches addressing support for the trans community were given by Zhao Yede (Zhao Bo) from Shanghai 411 Naval Hospital, Chao Xiaomi, and Xiao Guang from H-Shield. Sponsors for this event include the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, H-Shield, 8Art Hotel, and Spread the Bagel for delicious catering, including their iconic rainbow bagels.
ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival
ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival (ShPTF) kicked off the performances with Qingyuan drama company’s “PRIDE” on May 12, then Theatre Anon’s “The Absence of Reason” on June 8, followed by a performance by Shanghai’s very own Chinese improv combination of FLYIMPROV, The Improvisers, and Zmack at Tiger Café on June 15. On June 16, Happiness42 hosted the script reading of Zhang Jia’an’s “I Am Nezha” a collection of monologues that portray queer stories from Chinese people around the world.
Pride10 Anniversary Gallery
On June 8, the Pride10 Anniversary Gallery opened at Polar Bear Gallery. The space was curated with artifacts and memorabilia from the last nine years of ShanghaiPRIDE, and organizers, volunteers, and attendees even had the opportunity to leave messages of their own. Co-founder of ShanghaiPRIDE, Charlene Liu, gave the opening speech, commemorating this tremendous milestone. The showcase will last until July 1. Thank you HowFun Paella Bar and Polar Bear Gallery for supporting!
Pride Run
The festival’s biggest day, June 9, saw the return of the Pride Run, with participants running with pride from six locations across the city to meet at Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai. The runners showed off their special-edition Nike T-shirts and made great time thanks to the Nike+ Run Club Pacers. When all six teams arrived at the destination, community members and allies turned out for ShanghaiPRIDE’s classic Andaz Pink Brunch. Proceeds from the Pride Run will support Team China LGBTQ athletes as they prepare to compete at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris.
Forums
Also on June 9, an intellectual powerhouse of conferences, forums, and open panels were held at Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai.
Rainbow Family Forum
The Rainbow Family Forum focused on the possibilities of LGBTQ families, bringing in three, inspiring speakers from China, Australia and USA to share personal stories about same-sex couples having babies in a variety of ways with the audience. The Forum was made possible by Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai, the Australian Consulate-General Shanghai, Planet Ally and TrueBaby.
PFLAG Conference
PFLAG Conference celebrated a decade of change, community action, and family support. The participants had a chance to share their stories, spirit, and pride. Mothers of LGBTQ community members, dressed in qipaos, delivered an amazing performance with love. PFLAG shared their 10th year celebration together with Beijing LGBT Center and ShanghaiPRIDE with a birthday cake.
Women Up! Anti-Sexual Harassment Panel
Women Up! is a series of events focused on anti-domestic violence. This year’s session worked to increase awareness about sexual harassment, and featured notable speakers such as Xiong Jing, Zhu Xixi, and Zhang Leilei.
The Journey of Light
LGBTQ choruses from 7 different regions assembled in Shanghai on June 9 to perform “The Journey of Light” at the He Lvting Concert Hall. The performance was the choral masterpiece of the first National LGBT Choir Concert, which was organized by the Shanghai Hyperbolic Singers.
ShanghaiPRIDE Bling Party
Late into the night of June 9, The Pearl was flooded with lights, hot tunes, and partygoers for the ShanghaiPRIDE Opening Party. True to this year’s “bling” theme, party-goers glittered and grooved to DJs Sugar and E-Cosmic. Acrobats, drag queens, go-go dancers, and a surprise flash mob gave everyone a night to remember. The party was made possible by H-Shield, Wella EIMI, Brander Urstoff, WeMan, as well as venue sponsor, The Pearl.
ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival
A film marathon lasting 8 days and 33 hours, ShPFF organized diverse film screenings, discussions, talks and a workshop. All 1200 seats were taken up in just a matter of days after they were released. On June 10, ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival had its opening at the Department for Culture and Education of the German Consulate General in Shanghai. It was attended by Utjung Tjakivalid, the main actor of this year’s opening film – Alifu, The Prince/ss, and Bess Hepworth, Founder of the Asia Pacific Rainbow Family Forum. This year’s Chinese Short Film Awards winners include Pink Pills, Becoming A Queen, and Sunken Plum. The festival was also supported by Consulates General of Australia, Sweden, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, Peru, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Italy and the US in Shanghai. Venue support included Cafe Sambal, Lucca Cafe & Lounge, XNode and Roxie.
Queer Talks
On June 10, this year’s Queer Talks gave audience a deeper understanding of the intersections between the LGBTQ and disabled communities. Han Zhen, Yang Xizhen, Xiao Long and Qin Zhiyan shared personal stories and inspired the audience to be more inclusive and sensitive to all members of the LGBTQ community. This year’s Queer Talks was hosted by Happiness42, with snacks provided by Spread the Bagel.
Trivia Night
On June 13, Trivia Night attracted participants to show off their knowledge about LGBTQ culture. Cocosanti made a delightful hostess. ESNA, TENGA, and restaurants sponsored wild prizes and F&B vouchers for the Trivia Night winners. Lucca Cafe & Lounge generously sponsored the venue while Xuhui CDC supported the event too.
Out & Equal China Roundtable
On June 14, Out & Equal and ShanghaiPRIDE partnered up to hold the first-ever LGBTQ-centered work place roundtable in China. Speakers came from Dell, IBM, Bayer, Accenture, The Dow Chemical Company, Junhe Law, Shanghai Nvai, Shanghai Qingai Health Center, GE and Community Business to share their commitment to equality. The event was tremendously successful thanks to the support of sponsors including GE, DELL, Visa, Community Business, and H-Shield.
Ladies Party
On June 14, Shanghai’s hottest Ladies Party was hosted at Celia. The evening was filled with a variety of lovely ladies enjoying the wild entertainment of Drag King Dorian T. Fisk and his band. The event was one of the hottest events of the season, thanks to OneWorld Healthcare, Rela, and TOIS for their support, along with Celia for sponsoring the venue.
Pride Talk
Pride Talk 2018 took place at M Glam on June 16, giving participants the opportunity to share stories as a community. The event was made possible thanks to the Australian Consulate General Shanghai and M Glam for providing the space to promote more self-acceptance and community acceptance.
ShanghaiPRIDE Red Dragon Party
The ShanghaiPRIDE Red Dragon Party went late into the night at RIINK on June 16. Celebrating both the LGBTQ community of Shanghai and the Dragon Boat Festival, the party was filled with Chinese stylistic elements including a lion dance and a dragon dance. Drag queens, singer Denise Minnifield, and DJ BO & friends created a great atmosphere for the attendees who came to RIINK to celebrate the end of pride season.
Well-Being Panel
The Well-Being Panel was held at Cotton’s on June 17, focusing on the mental and physical well-being of the LGBTQ community. This event was made possible by Shanghai Qingai Health Center, Chinese White Ribbon Volunteers, Team China to 2018 Gay Games, and venue partner Cotton’s.
Rainbow BBQ
On June 17, Pride10 concluded with the Rainbow BBQ at Cotton’s (Xinhua Rd). Attendees gathered to share good food and memories of past Prides. As ShanghaiPRIDE’s first venue sponsor in 2009, Cotton’s was the perfect place to look back on how far we have come over the last decade and share our hopes for the future.
ShanghaiPRIDE is an annual non-profit festival and is entirely run by volunteers. This year we have 400 volunteers, a record-breaking number, signed up. In addition to the abovementioned sponsors, this year’s festival is supported by Title Sponsor: Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai; and Gold Sponsors: 8Art Hotel, Cotton’s, The Dow Chemical Company, Wella EIMI, H-Shield, Lucca Café & Lounge, The Pearl, Time Out Shanghai, TrueBaby, WeMan, Wunderman Shanghai, and Nike+ Run Club.
