The following update from Beijing-based AIDS activist Wan Yanhai (万延海) is currently being circulated among gay and other AIDS-related online groups (proxy/VPN required) on the mainland:Account of police raids targeted at LGBT in Beijing Wan Yanhai First instance: in the second half of January 2008, the police in Chaoyang District visited the residence of a LGBT activist. They enquired about her ex-roommate residence permit, asked for her picture, and enquired about the nature of her......

Gay China seen through the eyes of three different media this week China Daily has an interview of two gay men and a lesbian that also features a big, bold picture of two young men kissing in Beijing. The first story of a 57 year old married man caught our attention:Tong Ge was married to a woman for more than 20 years, and has raised a son. But Tong is gay. "If I could turn......

2007 was a great year for Shanghai's LGBT community. Brimming with events and parties that forced us to dig up photographic evidence to remember, the one-year old and 650+ member ShanghaiLGBT group really got into its stride this year, organizing events for all of the crazy and diverse characters in the group. The growth of the LGBT community in Shanghai was evident at this year's second annual LGBT Pub Crawl, where people were turned away......

Our recruitment page has been updated! If you have a keen interest in journalism, new media and blogging and are looking for an internship that promises to be a rewarding experience, read on! Internship position: Editorial intern Shanghaiist is looking for interns with a keen interest in journalism, new media and blogging. They must possess excellent people skills, great phone etiquette and a talent for producing crisp, concise copy. Interns will be expected to possess......

Since Net Nanny lifted her ban on YouTube, we have been catching up on the some of the vids that we missed during the year-long ban...okay, it wasn't that long. Looking for any excuse to waste time and avoid Christmas shopping, we watched every episode available of the first season of Project Runway Canada (the other PRC in our lives). It's the Canadian version of the very popular (especially among the LGBT crowd) American show,......

It must be really in vogue to shoot videos on Gay Shanghai now. Just last week, we showed you one that was shot by Adam Schokora for Danwei TV. Earlier this year, we told you about a slew of Chinese online gay TV shows, including 同志亦凡人 or Queer As Folk (in English) which featured a Gay Shanghai segment as well. And why would anyone doing a TV program on Gay China not want to come......

On Saturday, Oct. 27, the same night as our Halloween extravaganza, police raided and shut down Shanghai's popular gay club, Club Deep (commonly called "Deep"). Word on the street is that some Deep patrons were indulging in some not-so-legal substances during Deep's "Decadent Halloween" party, sponsored by i-Candy. According to our sources, between 20-30 police officers (initially mistaken for costumed go-go dancers, it was a Halloween party after all) arrested around 10 people, all suspected......

Saturday saw the likes of Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Maggie Cheung and other miscellaneous tramps descending upon Shanghai Studio for the Drag Party of the Year organised by the Shanghai LGBT group. The city's favourite drag queen, Gwen from Tempe, also graced the special occasion with her presence and added to the festive spirit of the party. Some party attendees also decided to swing across the road to Eddy's Bar (another prominent location in......

It's time to stop hiding your moobs, because this Saturday (August 11) is Shanghai LGBT's first and only drag party of the year! Those hard-working members at Shanghai LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) group have organized yet another gathering for all of Shanghai's outrageous citizens to enjoy. The venue for such a fabulous occasion is of course one of Shanghaiist's favorite spots, Shanghai Studio. Things might get a bit crazy in the underground lair sort......

Although June is the designated month of Gay Pride events all over the world, Shanghai will show its Pride this week by holding several events at Shanghai's own, one-of-a-kind gay dance club/bar/motel multiplex, PinkHome. All of the events are the result of much hard work by Shanghai's own, (and also) one-of-a-kind organization, Shanghai's LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) group. As for the events, there won't be a parade or hopefully any tear gas, curses, or......

While April is Alcohol Awareness Month in the States (some of you might be in the dark). If you are living in China, it might as well be Promoting the Gay Agenda Month Online Gay TV Awareness Month with news of the arrival of three online gay TV shows. Earlier this month, we reported about China's first online TV show about issues relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities within China. Aired......

At the risk of appearing as though we are once again fellating the "gay agenda", we thought we'd point out the interesting news announced Thursday that China aired its first program about gay and lesbian issues ... online. The show is called 同性相连 in Chinese and Gay Connections in English (although the Chinese press release calls the program Connecting Homosexual People) and it premiered its first episode of a 12-part weekly series on April 5......

Gay in the city and want to meet new people without A. Consuming unseemly amounts of alcohol, B. Making a Gaydar or Fridae account, C. Begging friends for introductions, D. Gyrating on the dance floor? Well, Shanghai's No. 1 Fag Hag is here to make your day. Welcome to the city’s newest, and first all-inclusive, alternative group: Shanghai LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender). (Full disclosure: The author of this post is a co-founder of......

After almost half a year, Shanghai’s iconic “alternative lifestyle nightclub”, Home Bar, officially reopened last week under its new brand, Pinkhome. It has been transformed from its previous existence into what is China’s first gay multiplex including a dance club, restaurant/lounge, and hotel. As some readers may remember, there was a pre-soft (is that a word?) opening last October for the bar, after which the establishment was closed again until renovations were completed. For those......

Ever heard of Space Bar? Not many people have. It’s a well-kept secret in the gay community that just opened up a couple of months ago. 322 Space’s decor is simple and classy. The pub immediately catches the eye from the street due to the special sidewalk illumination. Inside is a large bar in the center of the establishment. Nooks and crannies branch off of the main room and provide intimate corners where customers can......

The other night Shanghai’s No. 1 Fag Hag was sitting around with some friends trying to list all the gay/lesbian bars in town. We named 14 and at the same time came to the conclusion that Shanghai is in desperate need off a pub crawl. The invitation is open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, drag queens, fag/stag hags, LGBT friendly straight residents and anyone else who wants to join. The plan is to figure......

No, Shanghaiist isn't talking about xanadu or China's “rediscovered” Shangri-La. And, we are definitely not referring to the Tongren Lu establishment that just opened (no offense, but Tongren sucks!). Anyone who reads Danwei (or China Daily) knows that "lala" is a synonym for lesbians. So, welcome to the long-awaited post on Shanghai’s lala land. Some gay men reading this might be scratching their heads right now and saying to themselves, "What lesbian scene?" Despite all......