In the past few days a short film made by PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) China has viral, which seeks to get parents of gay children to accept their child’s sexuality when they come out. It tells the story of a young man who is shunned by his parents when he comes out, but they eventually comes to acceptance of their child.
THR notes, ‘Coming Home was launched to coincide with China’s Lunar New Year’s holiday this week, when families traditionally gather all over the country in much the same way as they do in the U.S. at Thanksgiving.
‘Homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, and in the early 2000’s it was removed from the list of mental illnesses. But there is a deeply held Chinese belief that children are required to marry and bear offspring to continue the family line, which means homosexuality is still heavily stigmatized. Because of this, the Chinese New Year family gathering can be a harrowing experience for gays and lesbians.’
PFLAG China was established in Guangzhou in 2008 and now runs chapters, support groups, and counselling services across China. The short features mothers of LGBTI children in the credits, who encourage gay people to come out and for families to accept them.
Take a look at the short film below. [Read more…]
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