Eye on Gay Shanghai: As the gay world turns...

Just like the American soap opera, As the World Turns, the Planet Gay Shanghai has experienced numerous plot twists in the past year. Shanghai’s #1 Fag Hag has been out of the scene for a long time, but she's just had a fabulous relaunch of her career and here’s her summary of what's happened over the last year for the benefit of you newbies in town...

• Club Deep closes and thousands, or at least hundreds, of gays are left clubless in the city.
• Shanghai Studio becomes the city’s best pre-drinks bar. Who knew a bomb shelter in a car park could be so fun!
• Space Bar and XXX Bar close down.
• Shanghai LGBT held the 2nd annual pub crawl- this time they filled two buses! In addition to the regular monthly event at Frangipani’s, the group added a Lala (Lesbian) night and book club meeting.
• Men At Work, an organization focused on gay support programs, is established.
• City Weekend starts a regular gay column featuring the much-loved Pete.
• LC Club (Live Club, or as some Singaporeans refer to it- Low Class) opens up and the city starts to dance again.
• Gays.com (the gay equivalent of Facebook) launches in Shanghai. It’s still invite only, but email me if you want an invitation!
• The clandestine Japanese gay bar moves from its cozy apartment setting to Tai’an Rd and is renamed Transit Lounge.
• California Fitness Gym on Huai Hai Road is the new gay man's place to sweat it out.
• Three-day gay party is held over the Dragon Boat holiday in June. Army uniforms, sailors’ hats and swimsuits abounded.
• Queer Kungfu is launched by the Rainbow League (Is Kungfu Panda involved?!)
• Rumor has it PinkHome is closed, but this is still unconfirmed (add your comment below if you have the real scoop)…

That's all Shanghaiist has for now, but keep your eyes peeled for more gay news to come.

If you have any tips on the gay scene in China, please email at shanghaifaghag [at] gmail.com!

Photo by www.crwflags.com.