China LGBT rights group shuts down amid hostile environment

By HUIZHONG WU
Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — An influential LGBT advocacy group in China that has spearheaded many of the legal cases pushing for greater rights is halting its work amid growing restrictions on social activism. LGBT Rights Advocacy China announced it was ceasing all activities and shutting down its social media accounts in an announcement on social media Thursday. The group declined to say why. Homosexuality is not a crime in China, and in bigger cities, there’s a vibrant social scene where LGBT individuals can socialize without much fear or discrimination. But restrictions on advocacy groups and online censorship have grown. In July, WeChat social media platform shut down dozens of accounts run by university students and non-profit groups on LGBT topics.