China Court Cockblocks Gay Couple, Upholds Marriage Ban Upheld (VIDEO)


In a new development, China has rejected the pleas of two men who wish to marry. This was the first ever lawsuit permitted on the matter and was a crushing decision for the growing Chinese LGBT community.

The couple, Hu Mingliang and Sun Wenlin, sued their local registry in Changsha because of their refusal to let the two marry. To their surprise, the case was taken up by the courts. The dismissal

Image courtesy of Sun Wentin
Image courtesy of Sun Wentin

of the case was based on details of a 1981 Marriage Law that the court felt was sufficient to deny the hopeful couple a chance at marriage.

Although the courts ruled against them, Sun and Hu are determined to continue battling.

“This result shows that China still legally discriminates against gay people. We will appeal this decision and keep fighting for our rights,” Sun explained. He continued, “What we want is not just a sheet of paper or the recognition of some strangers – this is about freedom and equality.”

There has been some movement in China as the increasingly vocal LGBT community speaks out for their rights. The recognition of the court is actually a nice step (relatively speaking), as the LGBT community has dealt with far worse methods of oppression not even 20 years ago.

Homosexuality wasn’t even decriminalized in China until 1997. In 2001, it was finally removed from government documents as an illness that needed clinical treatment. Even though parts of the government progressing on these issues is a great thing, bigotry and stigma tend to stick around for the ride. Something we know all too well in the United States.

Sun is aware of the fact there is much work to be done. Despite the setback, he is just hoping these small steps lead to greater successes down the line.

“My hope is that when people see gays or lesbians holding hands on the street, they wouldn’t see them as freaks or curiously look back. We are just as normal as everybody else.”

Here’s a video:

Featured image courtesy of Sun Wenlin