China

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

1.398 billion

World Bank, 2019

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

N/A

N/A

China, even though it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, still lacks considerable amounts of SGM data. This is most likely due to the fact that being LGBTI+ is heavily stigmatized in China. Additionally, there is limited data on the HIV/AIDS population in China (UNAIDS 2018).Currently, there are no laws that criminalize private same-sex activities (US Department of State Human Rights Report, 2019). There are also no current laws that ban conversion therapy; however, there are case-to-case bans. Unfortunately, a lot of Chinese people actively encourage conversion therapy. There are some organizations, such as the Beijing LGBT Center, that advocate for LGBTI persons; however, there have been instances where local governments have tried to shut down some groups (i.e. Guangzhou LGBT groups) (Outright International 2019).

China's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
No
Civil Unions
Yes
Joint Adoption
No
Second Parent Adoption
No
PROTECTION
Employment Nondiscrimination Laws
No
Broad Protections
No
Criminalization of Violence
No
Ban of Conversion Therapy
Unclear*

*There are case-by-case bans, rather than an overall law. That being said, people actively encourage conversion therapy. 

CRIMINALIZATION
Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?
Yes
Gender
Yes
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)
Unclear**

**The penalty can range from 2 months to 10 years. 

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

Being LGBTI in China –A National Survey on Social Attitudes towards Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and GenderExpression. 2016. United Nations Development Programme. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjq7JLoreXpAhWCTd8KHVHqDL8QFjAKegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.undp.org%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fchina%2Fimg%2Fdemgov%2FPublication%2FUNDP-CH-PEG-Being%2520LGBT%2520in%2520China_EN.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3SRNKtR6_haaWXvnlL_F8r

China. 2019. Human Rights Report. United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/china/

Hildebrandt, T. (2012) Development and Division: the effect of transnational linkages and local politics on LGBT activism in China, Journal of Contemporary China, 21:77, 845-862, DOI:10.1080/10670564.2012.684967. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10670564.2012.684967?casa_token=bcSKDREOYW4AAAAA%3AT3FDDBsU7m-a-eLAMpyEMtKU7Vq9PTw6yJd6ODxC9HpkssI_CUJh7dgU1cr4w-B0Zt7RCQxRJNHAhw

Parkin, S. (2018). Lgbt rights-focused legal advocacy in china: The promise, and limits, of litigation. Fordham International Law Journal, 41(5), 1243-1262. https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/frdint41&div=42&g_sent=1&casa_token=e2mDJEynC3oAAAAA:loJNikqIItsSnHD_umqKj-G_XreTAfDcZknYuT2NkvfgYb6u2m6HRvdq2rvEoh_QYinIfVer&collection=journals#

Sun, S., Pachankis, J.E., Li, X.et al.Addressing Minority Stress and Mental Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in China.Curr HIV/AIDS Rep17,35–62 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-019-00479-w

Szu-Ying, C., Theresa, F., Mathijs, F., Christa, F., and John,F(2018). From secrecy to discretion: The views of psychological therapists on supporting Chinese sexual and gender minority young people. Children and Youth Services Review93,307-314. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740918302202?casa_token=w9nMYpYDIBkAAAAA:NMXErNNxbqA_8vyYMTRQ0cK3P_pRt1ff7bvG0gVh0djkxbcqo7em9ZHDxUOrc1gMxx76sjgTQQ

Xu, W., Zheng, L., Xu, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2017). Internalized homophobia, mental health, sexual behaviors, and outness of gay/bisexual men from Southwest China. International journal for equity in health16(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-017-0530-1

Zhu, X., Gao, Y., Gillespie, A., Xin, Y., Qi, J., Ou, J., et al. (2019). Health care and mental wellbeing in the transgender and gender-diverse Chinese population.The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 7(5), 339 –341. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(19)30079-8/fulltext