Wuhan University. | Photo: Facebook
A relentless campaign against a pro-LGBTI university student association in China from its fellow students and the university itself forced it to cancel its IDHOBT event.
The Wuhan University Sexual Orientation Equality Research Group had planned an off-campus event for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBT). The group planned to meet at a nearby public square with rainbow flags to celebrate IDAHOBT.
Wuhan University is one of China’s top universities and is located in Wuhan, the most populous city in central China.
When university officials and other students caught wind of the IDAHOBT event they began targeting students on the popular messaging WeChat service.
Spreading the gay agenda
They discouraged students from attending, saying associating with ‘homosexual activity’ would bring the university’s reputation into disrepute.
‘A small number of students have been influenced by western subculture, and today may be on internet platforms advocating homosexual activity,’ one message read.
‘They mislead the public, incite widespread student participation in “gay” community activities, and encourage students to dip into “gay culture”.’
The university even encouraged students to appoint one person per class to verbally warn others off attending.
‘Please, every class appoint a committee member, and as soon as possible, during this morning’s class break, verbally warn classmates to pay attention!’ one message read.
‘Please don’t disseminate the above-mentioned information online, and don’t screenshot my messages. Make sure you understand the verbal warning, and spread it to your classmates properly. This is requested of everyone.’
China Digital Times obtained screenshots of the messages and translated them.
Some students stood up for themselves despite the mounting campaign against them.
‘I don’t consider my sexual orientation to be an error. All forms of love and affection between two people should be respected. You’re not capable of that respect, but at least try not to defame my orientation,’ one student wrote.
Even though they showed great resolve in the face a hateful campaign, the Wuhan University Sexual Orientation Equality Research Group announced the day before IDAHOBT (16 May) the ‘due to unforeseen eventualities’ its event had changed. t
The group moved its event to an on campus classroom. The group also left 150 rainbow bracelets and LGBTI educational pamphlets in the library.
It’s not the first time university students have been at the center of a homophobic campaign. Last year, the women’s basketball team at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) held up a homophobic banner condemning the LGBTI community.
