Male homosexuality in contemporary mainland China

Abstract

Through a unique circumstance described in the text we have 60 letters (of which 56 were from a gay population) concerning homosexuality in contemporary China. Though the sample is not randomly selected it is the first of its kind. An analysis of these letters shows some interesting results and patterns. Among these are (i) a widespread distribution of gay people in China in terms of their geographic locations, ages, and occupations; (ii) the pain and mental anguish they suffer from being unable to openly and legally seek homosexual partners and the contradiction experienced from living in two worlds; (iii) their wishes and demands for a better and more reasonable treatment, and (iv) their hope that they will be provided a place or some mechanism so that they can converse and interact freely. To better reflect what they think and feel about themselves, their problems, and their hopes we have used quotations from these letters extensively. It is our belief that at this initial exploratory stage of the study on Chinese homosexuality, it is best to let the respondents speak for themselves.