Ji Hua Duoyuan | As a sexual minority, why am I so angry to see this document?

Sorry, this is a belated tweet.

From May to July this year, grassroots organizations across the country suddenly began to clear, remove, or censor books and publications on topics or content such as “danmei” and “sexual minorities.”

I believe that this action is not conducive to protecting the equal, legitimate, and reasonable rights and interests of sexual minorities, and it is also a stifling of the free creation of literary works on homosexuality.

Taking the document “2022 Provincial Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications Concentrated Destruction Activity and ‘Green Bookmarks Action’ Series Propaganda Activity Launch Ceremony Held in Xiamen” published on the official website of the Fujian Provincial Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications Leading Group Office as an example, the document states: “Focus on investigating and dealing with the online dissemination of… sexual innuendo, soft pornography, bullying and violence, and other harmful audio and video, cracking down on the production and sale of ‘danmei’… LGBT (sexual minority) themed illegal publications, pirated children’s picture books and primary and secondary school textbooks and teaching aids, and strengthening the supervision and censorship of content involving minors in animation, online dramas, and online variety shows… All parts of the province resolutely prevent ‘danmei’ culture from entering grassroots public cultural venues, and Fuzhou City confiscated 71 illegal publications of the ‘danmei’ type… Quanzhou City investigated the ‘Li Mouru Smuggling Obscene Articles Case’, in which the involved personnel smuggled obscene ‘danmei’ novels and profited from online sales…” (Website: 【Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications】https://www.fjxuanchuan.cn/ztzl/dhsf/bstj/202205/t20220507_6254.htm)

In addition to this document from the Fujian Provincial Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications Leading Group Office, similar and related content documents have been published and released on the official websites of grassroots departments in many places and other online platforms.

The official website of Ulanhot City, Inner Mongolia, announced the “2022 Gegenmiao Town ‘Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications’ Action Plan”, stating: “Special rectification of harmful publications and information involving minors (throughout the year). Highlight the work orientation of protecting young people… Crack down on the production and sale of LGBT (sexual minority) themed illegal publications, pirated children’s picture books and primary and secondary school textbooks and teaching aids…” (Website: 【Ulanhot Municipal People’s Government – “2022 Gegenmiao Town ‘Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications’ Action Plan”】https://www.wlht.gov.cn/wlht/bmzfxxgk/zyq13/ggmz/fdzdgknr1680/zfwj9998/5117016/index.html)

The Leshan Municipal Education Bureau of Sichuan Province announced the “Special Rectification Activity for Harmful Publications for Minors” on its official website, stating: “In order to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of minors, promote the healthy growth of minors, and further purify and optimize the campus environment… strictly in accordance with the Shawan District Education Bureau’s “Notice on Carrying out Special Rectification of Harmful Publications for Minors”, focusing on investigating… LGBT (sexual minority) themed illegal publications, pirated children’s picture books and primary and secondary school textbooks and teaching aids. Create a good social and cultural environment for students…” (Website: 【District and County Dynamics – Leshan Municipal Education Bureau】https://lssjyj.leshan.gov.cn/sjyj/qxdt/202205/b9603e051258425bbfbcdee9090342fb.shtml)

The Sheyang County Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau of Jiangsu Province published a tweet “Sheyang County Carries Out Special Inspection of Cultural Market Around Campus for ‘Protecting Seedlings 2022′” on the WeChat public account “Sheyang Wenlv”, stating: “In order to better carry out the ‘Protecting Seedlings 2022’ special action and optimize the cultural market environment around the campus, starting from May 26, the Sheyang County ‘Anti-Pornography and Illegal Publications’ Office led the County Culture Market Comprehensive Law Enforcement Brigade to carry out a one-week special inspection of the cultural market around the campus… The focus of this inspection… is the sale of… LGBT (sexual minority) themed illegal publications, pirated children’s picture books and primary and secondary school textbooks and teaching aids…” (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzIwNTYxOTg2MA==&mid=2247549144&idx=4&sn=7260d8b41171b2f889325f70b740d495&chksm=972c5723a05bde359c302a36f14087c2dde28a90457fcc9bedbcc50b2fcaa7ff85594766f9f6&scene=27)

And many more…

This kind of action is inappropriate, it is not conducive to protecting the equal, legitimate, and reasonable rights and interests of sexual minorities, and it does not take into account the interests of gender diversity and sexual minority youth students, so it cannot help “protect” minors.

This censorship and clearing action is a “targeted action” against sexual minorities, so it fundamentally violates the equal rights of sexual minorities. Banning content related to sexual minorities will make sexual minority issues a “non-discussable” or “taboo topic”, which is not conducive to enhancing the social visibility of sexual minorities, and is not conducive to forming a space for free discussion of sexual minority topics by the public, which is to try to label homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender people and genderqueer people as “bad behavior”, “inappropriate sexual orientation”, and “wrong hobbies”.

This censorship and clearing action seriously infringes on the rights and interests of minors. The “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Minors” points out: “Schools and kindergartens should carry out age-appropriate sex education for minors…” According to the UNESCO “International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education”, “Sex Education for Sexual Minorities” is an important content concept of gender diversity and gender equality. Equal and friendly acceptance of everyone, without being stigmatized, discriminated against, and subjected to violence due to differences in gender and sexual orientation, is one of the important contents of comprehensive sex education. Adolescents’ objective understanding of sexual minorities is conducive to their understanding and identification of discrimination and prejudice related to social gender, cultivating values of tolerance and respect, learning to accept themselves and others, and further creating a more friendly society. Educators need to assess, listen to, and consider the specific situations and interests of sexual minorities and sexual minority minors.

On June 18, 2018, at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Ambassador Jiang Duan of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland promised: “China opposes all forms of discrimination and violence, including discrimination, violence and intolerance based on sexual orientation.” At the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2020, the spokesperson of the Chinese delegation reiterated: “China opposes all forms of discrimination and violence, including discrimination, violence and intolerance based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” ????️‍????????️‍⚧️

According to the “Social Attitude Survey Report on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression in China” released by the United Nations Development Programme in 2016, the visibility of sexual minorities in our country is still very low, including schools, workplaces, and society.????

All people are born equal, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Being a homosexual or transgender person is not a mistake, discrimination and prejudice are. ❤️????????????????????