Trans and queer people and their supporters suffer ‘systemic persecution’ as country pushes increasingly conservative values

In recent years, China’s LGBTQ+ community has been swept up in the Chinese Communist party’s broader crackdown on civil society and freedom of expression. In May 2023, a well known LGBTQ+ advocacy group in Beijing announced it was closing due to “unavoidable” circumstances. Last February, two university students filed a lawsuit against the education ministry after they were punished for distributing rainbow flags on campus.

  • tardigrada@beehaw.orgOP
    0·
    4 months ago

    Just two more pieces for those interested.

    China’s Pioneering Gay Rights Group Halts Operations Under ‘Force Majeure’ (May 2023)

    The 15-year-old Beijing LGBT Center, one of the pioneers of the “different sexual orientation movement” in China, announced this week that it had terminated its operations without explanation.

    Analysts said the closure of the well-known rights center was seen as inevitable and a reflection of the increasingly repressive political environment in China under Xi Jinping.

    […] In 2019, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan passed the Special Act on Same-Sex Marriage, becoming the first country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, but the regulations stipulated that married same-sex couples could adopt only children biologically related to one of the partners […] Taiwan is now leading Asia in same-sex marriage legislation.

    The Chinese government claims LGBTQ+ people are protected from discrimination. Our interviews with 26 activists tell another story (October 2023)

    The evidence suggests LGBTQ+ activists in China have had a particularly tough time since President Xi Jinping took office in 2013. The effects of targeting have spiralled in the past few years, reflected in the abrupt closure of the Shanghai Pride in 2020, and the 2021 shutdown of LGBT Rights Advocacy China – an organisation that held law-based campaigns.

    • V ‎ ‎ @beehaw.orgEnglish
      0·
      4 months ago

      Ironically this may serve to further them from their goals regarding Taiwan. The further they become politically and socially, the more difficult assimilation becomes. I think in 25 years it won’t be possible anymore. By then we are likely to see not an event like Hong Kong, but outright war before such a thing occurs. Geographically, any such imposition would appear as an invasion. That’s why we see China doing their best to meddle with their elections. Assuming TSMC maintains its relevance, and they gain recognition from some western powers. Not that far off if you can believe it.

      • BurningRiver@beehaw.org
        0·
        4 months ago

        So with Intel expanding processor manufacturing operations in the US (Outside Columbus Ohio, for example) to avoid the TSMC supply chain issues faced over the last few years, couldn’t that actually hurt Taiwan, as the USA will just refuse to be involved if their national interests aren’t in jeopardy?

        I know that TSMC supplies globally, but what if USA just suddenly decided that the defensive “juice” just wasn’t worth the proverbial squeeze?

        TLDR: US decides “Fuck it, we can produce our own processors now, you’re on your own”. Is that a realistic possibility?

        • V ‎ ‎ @beehaw.orgEnglish
          0·
          4 months ago

          Absolutely, however playing catchup in the semiconductor space is far easier said than done. Even intel gave up and started using TSMC to lay their newer nodes. So long as TSMC maintains its R&D lead they have that trump card.

          I think you’re onto something there though. There has been a push in the US to onshore chip manufacturing and the situation with Taiwan is a huge motivator.