InfoAnda - Police force first Mr Gay China pageant to close

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

US National Security Strategy Identifies India As “Strategic Partner” | 29 May 2010
Japan PM in danger of missing election target: report | | 6 July 2010
Thailand imposes tough security law to control protests | 8 February 2011

Microsoft, HP to unveil new tablet: sources | | 7 January 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Police force first Mr Gay China pageant to close

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Police force first Mr Gay China pageant to close By ANITA CHANG,Associated Press Writer - Saturday, January 16 Send IM Story Print BEIJING – Police shut down what would have been China's first gay pageant on Friday an hour before it was set to begin, highlighting the enduring sensitivity surrounding homosexuality and the struggle by gays to find mainstream acceptance. Organizers said they were not surprised when eight police officers turned up at the upscale club in central Beijing where the pageant, featuring a fashion show and a host in drag, was set to take place. "They said the content, meaning homosexuality, there's nothing wrong with that, but you did not do things according to procedures," Ben Zhang said. Police told him he needed official approval for events that included performances, in this case a stage show. "I kind of saw that coming," Zhang said. Chinese police frequently cite procedural reasons for closing down gatherings that are deemed to be politically sensitive. Though the pageant did not have any overt political agenda, similar events in the past _ such as a parade during the Shanghai Pride Festival last year _ have been blocked by authorities. "It totally has to do with moral standards and culture," said contestant Emilio Liu, 26. "If most people can't accept it, then the government won't let it happen." Zhang had said he hoped the pageant would raise awareness of homosexuals in a country where gays are frequently discriminated against and ostracized. Eight men were competing for the title and a spot in the Worldwide Mr. Gay pageant, to be held next month in Oslo, Norway. The Mr. Gay China pageant had attracted a great deal of press attention and even the normally staid state-run media reported on the event this week. Tickets, which cost 100 yuan (US$14.60) and 150 yuan (US$22.00), sold out three days ago. "I feel really sad. This was going to be a very good event to show a positive image of gay people," said Wei Xiaogang, a pageant judge and host of Queer Comrades, a popular Internet talk show on gay issues. Guests began trickling in after Zhang's announcement to the 50-plus journalists at the club. Some guests hugged each other after learning the show would not be taking place after all, while suit-clad club staff members began stacking up the chairs. Still, the mood was not entirely somber. "I'm a bit disappointed but I can also relax now. I don't have to be on a diet anymore," Liu joked. Contestant Simon Wang, who had planned to perform a self-choreographed dance to Lady Gaga's "LoveGame," struck cheeky poses for the cameras, while wearing green trousers and black straps across his bare chest, topped with furry maroon shoulder pads. Someone had scribbled on the black backdrop behind him: "The revolution has not succeeded, comrades need to work harder." Comrade is the slang term for gays in China. Organizers still planned to send a China representative to Oslo and will probably ask the pageant judges to choose someone from the contestants, organizer Ryan Dutcher said. Gay rights in China have come a long way since the years just after the 1949 communist revolution when homosexuality was considered a disease from the decadent West and feudal societies, and gay people were persecuted. Sodomy was decriminalized in 1997, and homosexuality was finally removed from the official list of mental disorders in 2001. But tellingly, most of the contestants interviewed asked The Associated Press to use their English names instead of Chinese names, to better protect their identities at home. While treatment of gays has improved in recent years, many are still reticent to draw attention to their homosexuality, particularly in the workplace. Chinese authorities had appeared to be more open toward addressing gay issues in recent months. The country's first gay pride festival was held in Shanghai, the nation's commercial capital, last June. That month also featured the five-day Beijing Queer Film Festival _ an event that police blocked in 2001 and 2005. China is officially atheistic, and without religious reasons for opposing homosexuality, attitudes are slowly shifting among city dwellers from one of intolerance to indifference. Gays living in big cities, like nearly all the men participating in the pageant, said their biggest challenge was dealing with parents and deeply ingrained expectations for them to get married and have children. But Liu said he thought it would be 10 years before anyone can successfully organize a gay pageant in China. "Cultural change needs time, society isn't going to change tomorrow," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US kills FBI-wanted terrorist in Pakistan strike AP - 2 hours 44 minutes ago AP NewsAlert AP - 2 hours 58 minutes ago Police force first Mr Gay China pageant to close AP - Saturday, January 16 Sushi-loving Japan fears push for tuna export ban AP - Saturday, January 16 China wins transparency praise with missile test AP - Saturday, January 16 News Search Top Stories JP Morgan reports big jump in profits to $3.27 bln JP Morgan posts $3.27 bln 4th quarter net profit IEA downgrades 2010 oil demand forecast Airbus A400M partners 'committed': Britain Aborigines to ask Prince William for slain warrior's head More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Scientists praise Obama as Doomsday clock reset Aborigines to ask Prince William for slain warrior's head Chicago businessman charged over Mumbai attacks Tensions rise as Haitians battle to survive Celebrities appeal for Haiti quake relief More Most Viewed » Beat the blues by going to bed early: study Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100 More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 16 January 2010
Iran to try 16 people soon over December unrest-report
Ransom demand for workers kidnapped in Nigeria
Mobile phone relief: Americans text aid to Haiti
Loud explosion in central Kabul: witnesses
JP Morgan reports big jump in profits to $3.27 bln
US-TECH Summary
Israel suspects Qaeda or Hezbollah in Jordan blast
Six al Qaeda militants killed in Yemen air strike |
Berlusconi corruption judges reject bid to start again
JP Morgan posts $3.27 bln 4th quarter net profit
China plays down Google dispute but U.S. concerned
U.S. to send formal message to China on Google case
Magnitude 5.4 quake shakes Venezuela coast town |
Kenyan police, people clash with Muslim protesters |
Guinea's Camara to stay abroad, two proposed for PM |
Few home comforts in Haiti's sidewalk quake camps |
Texas board debates high school history standards
Lacker: recovery must be rooted before rate hikes
Police force first Mr Gay China pageant to close
Wall St sets bar higher for IBM in 2010 after rally |
1 teen pleads guilty in Fla. woman's burning
U.S. texting raises $10 million and counting for Haiti |
Obama: America won't abandon neighbor in distress
Sushi-loving Japan fears push for tuna export ban
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Secret Senate digs proliferate
Court asked to allow prosecution for sexting |
AP Source: Man arrested in airplane bomb threat
China wins transparency praise with missile test
Veteran pleads guilty in VA hospital threat case
Google, Verizon file joint Internet remarks with FCC |
NKorea plays sanctions card in nuclear standoff
Witness testifies kids do fine with gay parents
US missile strike kills 5 in NW Pakistan: officials
Juniper confirms cyber attack after Google case |
APNewsBreak: AP sources: Obama to Massachusetts
Leap close to hiring bank for strategic options: report |
This MLK holiday, work has begun on memorial in DC
US to complain to Chinese about Google hacking
Pakistan Taliban chief tape emerges post-strike
Suspected rebels kill 6 police, driver in India
German FM talks Internet freedom on China visit
Indian foreign minister arrives in Nepal for talks
China faces tough challenge over Google dispute
TCS profit surges 39 pct on volume growth
Indian group likely to bid for Hollywood icon MGM
'Avatar' eyes awards season gold at Golden Globes
Johnson & Johnson Elevates Scope Of Tylenol Recall
Lady Gaga cancels show, cites exhaustion |
NASA Finds Cocaine Near Space Shuttle Discovery
Jackie Chan aims at families with Spy Next Door |
Red Cross Texting Campaign Raises $8M For Haiti Quake Victims
Americans Being Evacuated From Haiti, However Thousands Not Accounted For
Want To Volunteer In Haiti? Ask Aid Groups, Not Airlines
Haitian relief telethon to grace several networks
Show's not over yet for Idol Internet sensation
E Street Band's Clarence Clemons has back surgery
`Nine,' `Basterds,' `Avatar' lead Critics' Choice
Claudia Schiffer pregnant with third child |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jackie Chan aims at families with "Spy Next Door"
Claudia Schiffer pregnant with third child
Indian group likely to bid for Hollywood icon MGM
Kandi takes advantage of 'Housewives' success
Gritty teen drama breaks taboos in Russia
Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Ukraine hopefuls in final push for embittered voters
Haiti says 200,000 may be dead, violence looms |
Technology comes to the aid of Haiti
Judge urged to deny Polanski sentence in absentia bid
Three al Qaeda militants captured in Yemen: source |
Afghan parliament set to vote on second cabinet list
Hershey to bid at least 17.9 bln dlrs for Cadbury
Karzai faces new rejection of Afghan cabinet |
Yahoo knew of attacks before Google, kept mum
Bomber kills two soldiers in Pakistani Kashmir |
U.S. texting raises $11 million for Haiti
NATO, Afghan troops fire on Afghan crowd wounding five |
Japan's Ozawa vows to stay after aides arrested |
Wall St sets bar higher for IBM in 2010 after rally
Campaigners call for cancellation of Haiti's debts |
Venezuela announces new finance minister, wage rise |
Mexico army hands control to police in drug war city |
Bing posts modest US search market gain in December
Court asked to allow prosecution for "sexting"
Guinea's Camara to stay abroad, two proposed for PM |
iTablet scavenger hunt raises Apple hackles
Google, Verizon file joint Internet remarks with FCC
Blast in Pakistani Kashmir kills two
Thai king endorses cabinet reshuffle
Malaysia to summon US ambassador over terror alert
Suspicious airplane passenger questioned in Mich.
Malaysia plays down risks after US advisory on Borneo
Off-duty officer shot at Philly movie theater
Japan, S. Korea rebuff N. Korea proposal for peace treaty
Yahoo knew of attacks before Google, kept mum |
SKorea confirms new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth
Johnson & Johnson issues massive recall of Tylenol
U.S. texting raises $11 million for Haiti |
Japan's Ozawa vows to stay after aides arrested
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Intel earnings good for sector despite selloff |
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
US releases names of 645 detainees in Afghanistan
Thousands join Armstrong's 'Twitter ride'
Denver Post owner plans prepackaged Ch. 11 filing
Mo. sheriff alleges gang leader wanted him killed
Haitians in country illegally can stay
Hollywood stars lead Haitian quake charity drive
Filming in Hollywood slumps as recession bites
Taiwan fund may unload stocks next 3 mths
JAL, Delta reach deal over tie-up: report
"Hurt Locker" a blast at Critics Choice Awards
Sandra Bullock gives $1 million to Haiti relief
2010 could be busy year for digital music mergers
Hurt Locker a blast at Critics Choice Awards |
Courts to rule on fan-created music videos
Hollywood stars lead Haitian quake charity drive |
NBC's talk show wars seen as PR disaster for all |
Roman Polanski judge urged to reject sentence in absentia
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Britain gets fourth Michelin three-starred restaurant
Hollywood stars lead Haitian quake charity drive
Roman Polanski judge urged to reject sentence in absentia |
2010 could be busy year for digital music mergers |
Willie Nelson teams with T Bone Burnett
Willie Nelson teams with T Bone Burnett |
Courts to rule on fan-created music videos |
Earth's Magnetic North Pole Marching Toward Siberia At 37 Miles Per Year
Average Temperature In U.K. For First Weeks Of January Dips To Minus 2.1 Degree
Man Repossesses Car With Baby In Backseat, Stranger To Help Mom Pay Loan
Pope Meets, Forgives Woman Who Knocked Him Down
Study: Quarter Of Adolescent Girls Involved In Serious Fights Over The Past Year
Israeli Police Arrest Cult Leader With 17 Wives, 37 Children
Winnipeg Police Association Seeks Paid Time Off For Physical Exercise
Iraq says it captures man who oversaw UN bombing
Obama defends banking fee
Iraq to hold first full census since '87 in October
Britain rules out copying US bank tax plan
Iraqi former pilot accused in 2003 U.N. bombing |
Tehran court to issue French academic verdict
Expectations low for big powers' meeting on Iran
Hershey eyes $17.9 bln bid for Cadbury: report
Expectations low for big powers' meeting on Iran |
Six powers to mull new Iran sanctions in New York
Kenya to deport Muslim cleric without delay |
Church votes not to elect Britain's first female bishop |
Yahoo pulled into Google fracas, Alibaba slams comments |
Rum bottle thrown at Malaysia mosque amid tension
Nokia says to defend against Apple filing to ITC |
Another church in Malaysia vandalised: spokesman
State Department Launches 'Person Finder' Tool In Website To Find Loved Ones In Haiti
US, Norway deny funding Sri Lanka opposition
Obama confident bank tax plan will pass Congress
Swine Flu Death Toll Tops 11,000 In U.S.
Status of Afghan president's Cabinet picks
Obama enlists former presidents for Haiti effort
Duck Hunters Trigger False Alarm At Texas Nuke Weapons Assembly Plant
Analysis: Obama tied to health bill's fate
State Department, FBI Update Mug Shot Of Bin Laden
Japan veteran lawmaker won't quit despite scandal
U.S. Charges Drug Giant Johnson & Johnson In Kickback Scheme
At least 8 Afghan Cabinet nominees rejected
China discovered 5 bln tonnes of iron ore in 2009
World powers meet over fresh Iran sanctions
Analysis: Senate race underscores voter anger
Obama still seeking Chinese help on many fronts
Final frantic run for health care
Bali victim's father questions Washington trial
Alibaba says Yahoo 'reckless' on Google stance
China found five billion tonnes of iron last year: govt
Taiwan to allow Chinese investment in bourse
Pakistani c.bank buys 105 bln rupees of govt paper
U. of Penn receives papers of author Chaim Potok
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01