China: IDAHOT activists detained in two cities
The International Business Times (IBT) reports that LGBT activists marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in two Chinese cities were detained by police.
According to Guangzhou activist Yang Dai, around two dozen volunteers were held by police as they were giving out IDAHOT information pamphlets.
The volunteers were questioned for around an hour before being released.
In Changsha a pride parade of around 100 people rallied peacefully. The parade’s organiser, Qiang, said the event had been uneventful. However, four participants staying in a hotel the night after the event were detained by police on Saturday morning.
Three were released, while reports from Saturday afternoon reveal that one remained in custody. Reports have not revealed if he or she has been released yet.
IBT added that IDAHOT activists were more welcome in Chengdu, where a flash mob “danced enthusiastically to Kelly Clarkson’s hit song Stronger, much to the bemusement of local residents.”
