Steven Zhang took three days to make the decision to participate in China’s first-ever Mr Gay Pageant to be held this evening in Beijing, with his hesitation coming from worries over what would happen when he was “outed” by the event.

Gay pageant contestants want acceptance, not hype

He did not expect the huge media attention both from home and abroad before the event.

The 30-year-old Liaoning native, who broke up with his boyfriend months ago, is now worried that the media exposure, particularly within the nation, would lead to unwanted consequences like losing his job or hurting his family’s feelings, due to the social stigma and discrimination against homosexuals.

“I’m mentally prepared to get over it but not sure how long it would take. Well, so far I have no regret,” he told China Daily yesterday, a day before the pageant featuring eight contestants from the mainland.

However, he conceded that he made the decision on impulse, despite the goodwill objections from friends citing widespread discrimination against homosexuals in the country with a 5,000-year tradition that values reproduction.

The event, masterminded by Gayographic, a gay public relations and event management company, will feature three rounds, including freestyle, fashion show, and Q&A session, according to Zhang Liang, also 30, an overseas returnee now working in the finance industry in Beijing and director of Gayographic.

Read more at chinadaily.com.cn

Steven Zhang took three days to make the decision to participate in China’s first-ever Mr Gay Pageant to be held this evening in Beijing, with his hesitation coming from worries over what would happen when he was “outed” by the event. Gay pageant contestants want acceptance, not hype He did not expect the huge media [...]

There has been new controversy across the worldwide Anglican Communion since the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles elected Rev. Mary Glasspool, a lesbian, as assistant bishop.  If her election is confirmed by a majority of dioceses within the Episcopal Church, she would become the second openly gay bishop in the denomination, which has been wracked with division over homosexuality.

Source: pbs.org

There has been new controversy across the worldwide Anglican Communion since the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles elected Rev. Mary Glasspool, a lesbian, as assistant bishop.  If her election is confirmed by a majority of dioceses within the Episcopal Church, she would become the second openly gay bishop in the denomination, which has been wracked [...]

By Staff Reporter

A teenager who left the gas taps turned on at the home of a man he had just had gay sex with has been locked up for four years.

A judge at Carlisle Crown Court told 18-year-old George Harding that what he did could have had “catastrophic consequences.”

George Harding, of no fixed address: Admitted attempting to wound with intent to do grievous bodily harm and administering a noxious substance (gas) with intent to do serious harm and was jailed for four years

The court heard the teenager went to 47-year-old Brian Monan’s home in Workington after setting up a meeting through an internet gay chat room.

After having sex he turned on six gas taps in the kitchen and left the house.

He returned to the house and tried to stab Mr Monan in the chest with a bread knife.

Mr Monan escaped serious injury only because he was wearing a thick towelling bath robe.

Harding was arrested almost immediately after phoning the police saying he had just tried to kill a man who he falsely claimed had tried to rape him.

Source: timesandstar.co.uk

Harding, of no fixed address,was originally accused of attempted murder but that charge was dropped and he pleaded guilty instead to attempting to wound Mr Monan with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

He also admitted administering a noxious substance (the gas) with intent to do serious harm.

Defence barrister Kim Whittlestone said Harding had had “an extremely difficult up bringing” and had been passed “from pillar to post over the last eight years”.

He was struggling with his sexuality and had tried to kill himself at least three times, she said.

Source: timesandstar.co.uk

By Staff Reporter A teenager who left the gas taps turned on at the home of a man he had just had gay sex with has been locked up for four years. A judge at Carlisle Crown Court told 18-year-old George Harding that what he did could have had “catastrophic consequences.” The court heard the [...]