(Thumbnail image: China Daily)

“At the Mr. Gay China contest in Beijing, they’ll be judged not only on their muscles and manners, but on their ability to represent gay issues. Thirteen years after gay sex was decriminalized, they stand for an emerging community.  It is more confident, more visible, and more vocal.” (The Guardian)

But the first ever Mr. Gay China pageant never happened.  Just hours before eight contestants were set to take the stage, police broke it up, and told organizers they didn’t have the necessary permits.  Some gay Chinese advocates are calling this is a setback.  Others say the global attention will help advance their cause.

We’re taking a look at the perspectives from The Guardian, MSNBC, Chinese Daily, and The Australian.  

First up - MSNBC reports on the pageant organizers’ disappointments over the government crackdown.

DARA BROWN: “The event was shut down even after a successful rehearsal in the location one night earlier.  Pageant organizers say they’d hoped the show would mark another step toward acceptance of gays in the country.  Homosexuality was taken off an official list of mental disorders in 2001.”

The Australian reports being openly gay in the family-focused Chinese culture can be extremely difficult because of an enduring stigma.

“It is common in China for gay men to marry and produce a child and then move to another city, returning home only occasionally while leading a double life. … A number of Mr Gay China contestants hoped the pageant would not get too much publicity, because they didn't want their parents finding out.”

But it might not be all bad news for gay rights in China.  The Guardian talked to a pageant contestant who says his country is opening up to gay issues.  

“Even 10 years ago, homosexuality was classed as a mental illness.  'But now it’s so different.  You can see people holding hands.  You can go to many gay parties.  You can meet people from all over the world.  They had gay pride last year.  They had the first one.'”

Finally—China Daily talked to some of the men involved in Mr. Gay China who also paint a sunnier portrait, saying:  

(PARTICIPANT:) "’In China, the population of gay people is large, but many of them cannot live in the sunshine. I really hope we can live with our heads held high and face the world happily.’

(PAGEANT ORGANIZER:) …‘I'm very disappointed because we worked hard for this event, but I don't see it as a major step back.’”

So do you think the recent crackdown will set back gay rights in China?  Or is progress just coming slower than activists would like?   

Writer: Chance Seales