China Bans Gay Content From The Internet

As reported by Fortune, China has released a new regulation Friday banning any display of “abnormal sexual behaviors” — including homosexuality — in online video and audio content. The regulation, published by the China Netcasting Services Association (CNSA), lays out strict censorship rules for online content ranging from
movies and documentaries to cartoons and educational videos.

Under the new rules, content will be edited or even banned if it promotes “luxurious lifestyles,” shows “violent and criminal processes in detail,” demonstrates “obscenity” including masturbation or displays “abnormal sexual behaviors” such as homosexuality.

Geng Le, the creator of Blued, one of China’s most popular gay dating apps, and a grand marshal at this year’s NYC Pride Parade, disagreed with the rules. He pointed to the fact that China has removed homosexuality as a mental illnesses in 2001, and that the World Health Organization had done so in as early as 1990.