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Homosexuality is still largely a taboo subject in China, but it is slowly entering the realm of public discussion, especially after sociologist Li Yinhe's proposals on the legalization of same-sex marriages to the NPC and CPPCC through NPC and CPPCC members.
In 2001, homosexuality was crossed out of the China Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders. But while same-sex marriages have not been legalized, there is also no law that prohibits gay and lesbian liaisons.
China occupies the middle ground as far as acceptance of homosexuality goes, according to Guo Xiaofei, author of Homosexuality in the Prospective of Chinese Law (2007). Public attitude toward gays and lesbians seems to mirror official ambiguity. There is sympathy but also aversion. Meanwhile, gays and lesbians are testing the waters of public tolerance by showing their preferences openly. They often gather in parks, at bars, and on the Internet. And in bigger cities such as Beijing, they even have their own clubs. But there is no formally registered homosexual organization on the mainland. While gay and lesbian groups organize activities such as the Valentine's Day event this February or flying rainbow kites, Xian (not her real name) from the lesbian group Beijing Common Language (Tong Yu) insists that they do not intend to copy their peers in the West. Xian also revealed that preparations for China's non-governmental gay/lesbian delegation to The Second World Outgames, which will be held in Copenhagen this July, are well underway. "That'll be the debut of Chinese homosexual groups on the world stage." 2009-04-16
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