Friday, May 10, 2019

85% of LGBT students in China report depression


Around 85% of LGBT students in China report struggling with depression, according to a survey. More than 700 LGBT students from 29 provinces were polled.

The poll, carried out by Beijing Normal University and analysed by Chinese news site Caixin Global, found a further 40% had considered suicide.

The survey found more than 80% of respondents had come out to someone, but three quarters had not told their parents, other relatives or teachers. Only 2.9% said they had supportive teachers.

The report found having a more inclusive school climate and more school resources, in particular positive LGBT role models, improved LGBT students’ mental health.

China decriminalised homosexual acts in 1997, but LGBT communities in the country have been subjected to censorship and discrimination under the Communist government.

Recently, China’s largest e-commerce site, Taobao, removed LGBT-themed items from online stores.The company prohibited items described as ‘LGBT’, ‘Les’ and ‘Gay’. They claimed her products contained ‘obscenity, pornography, violence or political sensitivity’.


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