A short film urging parents to support and accept their LGBT children has gone viral in China. Watch it here.
A six-minute film chronicling the journey one family in China has taken to accept their gay son has gone viral in that nation, receiving over 100 million views on the country’s QQ video streaming site. The video, which you can watch below with English subtitles, was produced by PFLAG China.
“Coming Home” takes place during the Chinese Lunar New Year, when families get together, much like the Thanksgiving holiday in America, The Hollywood Reporter notes.
“Homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, and in the early 2000’s it was removed from the list of mental illnesses,” THR writes. “But there is a deeply held Chinese belief that children are required to marry and bear offspring to continue the family line, which means homosexuality is still heavily stigmatized. Because of this, the Chinese New Year family gathering can be a harrowing experience for gays and lesbians.”
At the end of the film, mothers appear, saying, “Don’t think of the love of your parents as a burden,” or, “Be brave and be yourself. Tell your parents your experiences, and we will share with you.” Another urges, “Don’t let traditional thinking stop you from coming home.”
China is the world’s most populous nation, with nearly 1.4 billion people.
Watch this version from YouTube:
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Image: Screenshot via YouTube