CAMPAIGNER: Ying Xin wants to see an extension of LGBT rights in China
Although same-sex activity is no longer illegal in China and homosexuality has long been declassified as a mental illness, there is a long way to go and LGBTQ people still face discrimination and the threat of violence — from members of the public as well as the government. But people such as Ying Xin are trying to make a difference. Born in the small city of Xiangyang in Hubei Provinces, she has been the executive director at the Beijing LGBT Center for seven years.
The centre provides support for a growing number of younger LGBTQ people who are becoming more vocal about LGBTQ rights, and more visible in a culture that has traditionally pushed its queer community into the closet.