Increased Suppression of Sexual and Gender Minorities in China; Beijing's LGBT Center Shut Down

The Chinese government has shut down the Beijing LGBT Center, an influential group that served as a safe space for the sexual and gender minority community in China's capital. According to the Associated Press, the center announced on its official WeChat account: "We regret to inform you that due to pressures beyond our control, the Beijing LGBT Center will cease its activities from today." The closure of this center is a significant blow to groups that were once able to publicly advocate for the rights of sexual and gender minorities. The Beijing LGBT Center described its mission, which initially started as a safe space for hosting events for members of this community, as growing. It then became an influential group aimed at "improving living conditions for a sexually and gender-diverse community." They provided low-cost mental health counseling and published a list of health professionals who assisted sexual and gender minorities. Groups like the Beijing LGBT Center continued their efforts to achieve rights such as same-sex marriage even after a widespread crackdown on lawyers and human rights activists that began in 2015 following Xi Jinping's rise to power. The Beijing LGBT Center did not respond to the Associated Press's request for an interview via email. The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, which oversees non-profit organizations in the country, also did not respond to requests for comment.