Formal historical data provided by ancient records dealing with
male homosexuality in China can be dated back to the Shang Dynasty
(c. 16th century - 11th century BC), according to Li Yinhe in her
book History of Chinese Homosexuality.
The term "Luan Feng" was used to describe homosexuality in the
"Shang Dynasty Records". Interestingly, there are no record of
lesbianism in Chinese history.
Historical traces of male homosexuality persist through dynasty to
dynasty from ancient times and never disappear. It was in full
swing during the Spring and Autumn and the Warring Periods, at
which time Mi Zixia, favorite of the Monarch Wei, and Long Yang,
favored by Monarch Wei, were the two best-known figures.
The greatest influences and achievements back then, however,
belonged to the famous poet Qu Yuan. It is said that his love for
the monarch Chu can be felt in most of his works, for instance his
"Lisao" and "Longing for Beauty".
Prevailing among emperors
Li
claimed that during the powerful Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) the
homosexual activities of emperors and ministers were frequently
preserved in the historical records. According to the "Historical
Record" and "Han Dynasty Records", almost all emperors of the
Western Han Dynasty had lovers of their same sex.
There was a much-told story about Emperor Ai, whose name was Liu
Xin, and who reigned from 6 BC to 2 BC. Unwilling to awaken his
male lover Dong Xian, who had fallen asleep on his robes, Liu cut
off his sleeves instead.
After the Han Dynasty, the general attitude was tolerant, so long
as homosexuals fulfilled their filial duties by getting married and
continuing the family line.
Remarkably, a calm and dispassionate attitude to the homosexual
phenomenon was always prevalent in ancient China. There was neither
eulogy, nor criticism. It seemed to do no harm in maintaining
traditional family ethics.
Male prostitution
The years 1573-1620 marked the most flourishing period of the Ming
Dynasty (1368 - 1644). With great developments in industry and
trade, luxurious life-styles also proliferated, according to Li's
book.
Prostitution was a common practice at that time, due to the moral
concept which advocated the acceptance of natural sexual needs, an
approach promoted by the neo-Confucian philosopher Wang
Yangming.
Male prostitutes (gigolos) were widely available to meet their
clients' specific requirements.
Confucianism was canonized during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911),
with emphasis put on strict obedience to the social order. That is
to say, both wife and husband should always remember their correct
relationship, but homosexuals went directly against such rules.
Restrictive decree
Then, in 1740, the first anti-homosexual decree in Chinese history
was promulgated, defining voluntarily homosexual intercourse
between adults as illegal. Though there were no records on the
effectiveness of this decree, it was the first time homosexuality
had been subject to legal proscription in China.
During the cultural revolution (1966 - 76), homosexuals faced their
worst period of persecution in Chinese history. The government
considered homosexuality to be a social disgrace or a form of
mental illness.
The police regularly rounded up gays and lesbians. Since there was
no law against homosexuality, gays and lesbians were charged with
hooliganism or disturbing public order. Since that time
homosexuality has remained in closet.
Acceptance and tolerance
With the replacement of the 1989 edict - which defined
homosexuality as a "psychiatric disorder of sexuality" - by the new
"Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental
Disorders", released this March by the Chinese Psychiatric
Association, China took a step closer to WHO policies, with
homosexuals also benefiting from a general loosening of social
restrictions.
Shanghai is one of the major cities where gays and lesbians are
able to live a more open lifestyle, with some musicians and artists
being openly gay. Bars are popular places for gays to meet, with
weekends as the best time.
(Shanghai
Star October 4, 2002)