by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
China saw its first-ever gay pride week June 7-14 in Shanghai.
Events included movies, plays, art exhibits, panel discussions, swimming and badminton competitions, and a big party, though at least one play and one film were ordered canceled by authorities.
Some 500 people attended a barbecue/drag show/fashion show/hot-body contest on June 13.
Organizers decided against holding a parade, saying it just didn't seem to be legally possible, according to China Daily.
"Shanghai Pride is a community-building exercise," co-organizer Tiffany Lemay told the English-language paper. "We hope to raise awareness of issues surrounding homosexuality, raise the visibility of the gay community, help people within our community to come out, and build bridges between the gay and straight communities."
