Watch this video, it's a good summary. An important thing emphasized in the video is that the slur term translated as "sissy men" did not appear in the actual text of the regulation. That language came from an editorial in favor of the regulation from a Chinese state sponsored news outlet, and it was reported as the official language of the policy in America. However, other state sponsored media outlets were highly critical of that language and the policy itself. So the thing to remember here is that China and the CPC are not a monolith, they have internal conflicts just like anywhere else.
Another thing to remember is that China is actually a lot better on LGBTQ issues than most Americans think. One of their most popular celebrities (Jin Xing, almost like their version of Oprah) has been openly transgender for decades. Their laws and large parts of their culture are still very reactionary on the subject, and we don't have to pretend that's good or necessary. But remember that almost all victories for LGBTQ people here in the states came through long and difficult internal struggle, and it's likely the same will be true in China, so we shouldn't hold them to a different standard. I'm not entirely sure how people in America can help move that struggle forward. We should definitely be critical of decisions like this, but remember that criticizing China on LGBTQ rights without fighting for them here is chauvinistic and only serves imperialism; it's entirely possible that the US could use LGBTQ rights as an excuse for sanctions in the future while still having things like conversion camps be completely legal right here.
Additionally, as someone else in this thread pointed out, some people have linked the restrictions on gay and GNC people to increased militarism within China and a desire to appear strong. That would almost certainly be reduced if tensions with the US relaxed. So combatting anti-China sentiment here might help LGBTQ people in China.
Tl;dr: I went on a ramble here, but I think some basic things you can do to fight for LGBTQ rights in China is to fight for them here while also avoiding spreading an imperialist mentality. I'm not sure if there's anything more direct you can do as an American.
I’m not entirely sure how people in America can help move that struggle forward.
It's better for the LGBT rights struggle in China not to be associated with American interference, and Americans pushing their values onto China. The best thing to do is nothing.
A good way to think about this is to flip the question around: "What can China do to help advance the LGBTQ cause in America?"
I literally cannot think of a single thing that China could do to help end American conversion camps, hate crimes, job discrimination, educational suppression, etc. So why should we expect to be able to do anything for them?
Right, but you also need to consider that there's a history of Western countries using their power to attempt to impose cultural and political hegemony on China, and not the other way around. It wouldn't be helpful to have Chinese people associating gay rights with western Imperialism.
This is also why I get so mad at people who invoke women's rights as a reason that the US should have stayed in Afghanistan. For one, women's rights were never any part of the real reason for the occupation, and also women's liberation there has probably been set back decades because many Afghanis likely see women's advancement as synonymous with colonial rule!
Additionally, as someone else in this thread pointed out, some people have linked the restrictions on gay and GNC people to increased militarism within China and a desire to appear strong. That would almost certainly be reduced if tensions with the US relaxed. So combatting anti-China sentiment here might help LGBTQ people in China.
Never struck my mind but it makes a lot of sense. It will be hard to convince a lib of this because they consider China the aggressor for some reason.
Watch this video, it's a good summary. An important thing emphasized in the video is that the slur term translated as "sissy men" did not appear in the actual text of the regulation. That language came from an editorial in favor of the regulation from a Chinese state sponsored news outlet, and it was reported as the official language of the policy in America. However, other state sponsored media outlets were highly critical of that language and the policy itself. So the thing to remember here is that China and the CPC are not a monolith, they have internal conflicts just like anywhere else.
Another thing to remember is that China is actually a lot better on LGBTQ issues than most Americans think. One of their most popular celebrities (Jin Xing, almost like their version of Oprah) has been openly transgender for decades. Their laws and large parts of their culture are still very reactionary on the subject, and we don't have to pretend that's good or necessary. But remember that almost all victories for LGBTQ people here in the states came through long and difficult internal struggle, and it's likely the same will be true in China, so we shouldn't hold them to a different standard. I'm not entirely sure how people in America can help move that struggle forward. We should definitely be critical of decisions like this, but remember that criticizing China on LGBTQ rights without fighting for them here is chauvinistic and only serves imperialism; it's entirely possible that the US could use LGBTQ rights as an excuse for sanctions in the future while still having things like conversion camps be completely legal right here.
Additionally, as someone else in this thread pointed out, some people have linked the restrictions on gay and GNC people to increased militarism within China and a desire to appear strong. That would almost certainly be reduced if tensions with the US relaxed. So combatting anti-China sentiment here might help LGBTQ people in China.
Tl;dr: I went on a ramble here, but I think some basic things you can do to fight for LGBTQ rights in China is to fight for them here while also avoiding spreading an imperialist mentality. I'm not sure if there's anything more direct you can do as an American.
It's better for the LGBT rights struggle in China not to be associated with American interference, and Americans pushing their values onto China. The best thing to do is nothing.
A good way to think about this is to flip the question around: "What can China do to help advance the LGBTQ cause in America?"
I literally cannot think of a single thing that China could do to help end American conversion camps, hate crimes, job discrimination, educational suppression, etc. So why should we expect to be able to do anything for them?
Right, but you also need to consider that there's a history of Western countries using their power to attempt to impose cultural and political hegemony on China, and not the other way around. It wouldn't be helpful to have Chinese people associating gay rights with western Imperialism.
This is also why I get so mad at people who invoke women's rights as a reason that the US should have stayed in Afghanistan. For one, women's rights were never any part of the real reason for the occupation, and also women's liberation there has probably been set back decades because many Afghanis likely see women's advancement as synonymous with colonial rule!
Never struck my mind but it makes a lot of sense. It will be hard to convince a lib of this because they consider China the aggressor for some reason.