Same-sex marriage in China
Encyclopedia
China
recognizes neither same-sex marriage
nor civil union
s. A poll conducted in 2009 showed that over 30% of the Beijing
population supports same-sex marriage
, while the rest were unsure or opposed. A poll conducted in 2007 found that 30% of the Shanghai
population supports same-sex marriage.
published a front-page splash photo of a Chinese couple, Zeng Anquan, a divorced architect aged 45, and Pan Wenjie, a demobilized PLA
soldier aged 27, being married at a gay bar
in Chengdu
. The marriage is understood as having no legal basis in the country, and the families of both men reacted negatively to the news of the marriage.
Li Yinhe
, a sexology scholar well-known in the Chinese gay community, proposed Chinese Same-Sex Marriage Bill as an amendment to the marriage law to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008. All four proposals failed because she was unable to find enough cosponsors for a placement on the agenda. Li Yinhe, however, pledged to "continue proposing the bill until it is passed". In 2008, supports for homosexual rights launched a campaign to collect signatures calling for recognition of same-sex marriage.
In addition to national recognition, there have been unsuccessful attempts made towards allowing same-sex marriage in the provinces. In early 2010, lawyer Zhu Lieyu submitted a plan to the Guangdong
People's Congress in an attempt to legalize same-sex unions in the province, however the bill was never carried to a vote.
In addition, the Chinese government requires parents adopting children from China to be in heterosexual marriages.
in 1991. No measures have been put in place to allow same sex marriage nor to formally recognise same-sex unions, however a lawsuit is being carried out as to whether post-operation transsexuals can get married.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
recognizes neither same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
nor civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
s. A poll conducted in 2009 showed that over 30% of the Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
population supports same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
, while the rest were unsure or opposed. A poll conducted in 2007 found that 30% of the Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
population supports same-sex marriage.
"First" same-sex marriage
On January 13, 2010, China DailyChina Daily
The China Daily is an English language daily newspaper published in the People's Republic of China.- Overview :China Daily was established in June 1981 and has the widest print circulation of any English-language newspaper in the country...
published a front-page splash photo of a Chinese couple, Zeng Anquan, a divorced architect aged 45, and Pan Wenjie, a demobilized PLA
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
soldier aged 27, being married at a gay bar
Gay bar
A gay bar is a drinking establishment that caters to an exclusively or predominantly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender clientele; the term gay is used as a broadly inclusive concept for LGBT and queer communities...
in Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
. The marriage is understood as having no legal basis in the country, and the families of both men reacted negatively to the news of the marriage.
Legal proposals
The Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China explicitly defines marriage as the union between one man and one woman. No other form of civil union is recognized.Li Yinhe
Li Yinhe
Li Yinhe is a sociologist, sexologist, and an activist for LGBT rights in People's Republic of China. She was married to the late writer Wang Xiaobo...
, a sexology scholar well-known in the Chinese gay community, proposed Chinese Same-Sex Marriage Bill as an amendment to the marriage law to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...
in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008. All four proposals failed because she was unable to find enough cosponsors for a placement on the agenda. Li Yinhe, however, pledged to "continue proposing the bill until it is passed". In 2008, supports for homosexual rights launched a campaign to collect signatures calling for recognition of same-sex marriage.
In addition to national recognition, there have been unsuccessful attempts made towards allowing same-sex marriage in the provinces. In early 2010, lawyer Zhu Lieyu submitted a plan to the Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
People's Congress in an attempt to legalize same-sex unions in the province, however the bill was never carried to a vote.
Government attitude
The attitude of the Chinese government towards homosexuality is believed to be "three nos": "No approval; no disapproval; no promotion." The Ministry of Health officially removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 2001, but same-sex marriage is still not considered. A government spokesperson, when asked about Li Yinhe's gay marriage proposal, said that same-sex marriage was still too "ahead of time" for China. He argued that same-sex marriage was not recognized even in many Western countries, which are considered much more liberal in social issues than China. This statement is understood as an implication that the government may consider recognition of same-sex marriage in the long run, but not in the near future.In addition, the Chinese government requires parents adopting children from China to be in heterosexual marriages.
Hong Kong
Homosexuality was decriminalised in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1991. No measures have been put in place to allow same sex marriage nor to formally recognise same-sex unions, however a lawsuit is being carried out as to whether post-operation transsexuals can get married.
See also
- Homosexuality in China: Same-sex marriage
- Same-sex marriage in TaiwanSame-sex marriage in TaiwanIn 2003, the executive branch of the Republic of China government proposed legislation granting marriages to same-sex couples under the Human Rights Basic Law; however, it faced opposition among cabinet members and legislators, and has been stalled since and thus not voted on...
- Queer representation on Chinese Film - Cui Zi En 崔子恩