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Social media site reverses LGBT ban after outcry

LGBT Issues - Level 4

One of China's biggest social media sites has reversed its ban on LGBT content. On Friday, it made a statement saying it would delete images and videos that were "related to homosexuality". It would also remove pornographic content or images of "bloody violence". The site said it was part of a "clean-up campaign" to "create a sunny and harmonious [online] community". It also said it was following China's cyber-security laws.

The site reversed the decision after an outcry from Internet users. Many of the LGBT community posted photos of themselves with their partners online. One user said the Chinese constitution protected the "personal dignity" of citizens. A woman from Shanghai said: "I suddenly find that in this strong country, [the site] is discriminating against and attacking this sexual minority." The site thanked everyone for the discussion.

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LGBT Issues - Level 5

One of China's biggest social media sites, Weibo, has reversed its ban on content related to LGBT issues. On Friday, it made a statement saying that for the next three months, it would delete images and videos that were "related to homosexuality". It also said it would remove pornographic content or anything that promoted "bloody violence". Weibo said it was part of a new "clean-up campaign" to "create a sunny and harmonious [online] community" within China. It also said it wanted to follow China's cyber-security laws.

Weibo reversed the decision after a public outcry from the country's Internet users. Many of Weibo's LGBT community answered the ban by posting photos of themselves with their partners online, often adding rainbow emojis. One user said the Chinese constitution maintains that no one can offend the "personal dignity" of citizens. A woman from Shanghai posted: "I suddenly find that in this strong country, Weibo is discriminating against and attacking this sexual minority." Weibo responded to the outcry by reversing its decision. It thanked everyone for the discussion.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

LGBT Issues - Level 6

One of China's largest social media sites, Weibo, has reversed a ban on users posting online content related to LGBT issues. On Friday, the social networking giant issued a statement announcing that for the next three months, it would be deleting images, cartoons and videos that were "related to homosexuality". It also said it would remove content with "pornographic implications" or content that promoted "bloody violence". The Internet company said it was part of a new "clean-up campaign" that intended "to create a sunny and harmonious community environment" within China's online community. It also said it was complying with China's cyber-security laws.

Weibo reversed the decision on Monday following a passionate public outcry from the country's Internet users. Many of Weibo's LGBT community responded to the initial ban by posting photos of themselves with their partners, often adding rainbow emojis. Many people cited China's constitution, which protects minorities. One user said the constitution maintains that the "personal dignity" of citizens is "inviolable" and that insult directed against citizens is prohibited. A woman from Shanghai posted: "I suddenly find that in this strong country, Weibo is discriminating against and attacking this sexual minority." Weibo responded to the outcry by reversing its decision and thanking everyone for the discussion.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson