Penrose you should enjoy China (I think its a fantastic country to visit and have done so many times and recommend it to everyone). Not being gay myself most of following are 2nd hand comments from friends/from what I have seen:
- Shanghai has a reasonable gay scene. Mostly gay male dominated but the lesbian scene is there. Beijing has a smaller scene; outside of these two cities there isnt much for the foreigner (gay or not). However, even in Shanghai/Beijing its not particularly visible. Both cities have a number of english language magazines/newspapers that can tell you where to go. There is a big problem with rural workers moving to Shanghai and becoming male prostitutes and attracting police attention, but if you stick to the expat clubs this is much less likely;
- after the communists took power sexuality of any kind was not talked about until quite recently and, even now, its limited to the big 2 cities. In fact, until 2001 homosexuality was officially a psychiatric disease. Therefore most Chinese (particularly older and in the country) are quite conservative and openly homosexual behaviour is not welcome (neither is openly hetero behaviour either, for that matter). However, the lack of religion means that homosexuality is generally a we dont get it/you are strange issue rather than a you are devil spawn issue;
- Gay bashing rare. Outside Beijing/Shanghai people most unusual behaviour is put down to you being a foreigner. If you are a Caucasian then the Chinese are reluctant to do anything to you that might end up with the police involved because the police will generally accept your side of the story;
- Like in a number of Asian countries, people of the same sex holding hands is not uncommon although its rarely a sexual thing. Going 'beyond' hand holding in public is frowned upon regardless of who you are doing it to.
I guess the bottom line is that being gay is unlikely to cause you any problems, but China is not a place to go to for a wild time.
Remember to take at least one long train trip (soft sleeper is very comfy, although hard sleeper puts you amongst the locals); also there have been serious floods in the west (including around Xian, where the entombed warriors are) but they shouldnt interfere with your plans if you are sticking to the tourist destinations. Bejing and the entombed warriors are a must
Oh there are a number of websites around that will give you more than I can. Have a read of
www.fridae.com/resources/...ction.php; www.globalgayz.com/g-china2.html; members.tripod.com/~drago...china.html
