When, Huang Yang asked Wang Xiaoyu to marry her following a graduation ceremony at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in China, didn’t expect the move to cause her university to threaten her with disciplinary action.
Following the proposal, onlookers cheered and filmed the couple as they shared a kiss, and the proposal was quickly covered by an LGBT group online.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS2D4fx3uEg
Xiaoyu told BBC News.,
The proposal is proof of love. And also this action could make people aware that there are sexual minorities on the campus as well.
Last year, the university held a group wedding ceremony for 50 graduates and celebrated their love. But same-sex love was treated differently.”
However, when her university became aware of the video, officials demanded the it be removed from social media, before Xiaoyu was pulled in for questioning by the university’s party secretary.
She also says they searched her room, withheld her diploma and contacted her parents.
The incident has divided public opinion on Chinese social media, with some criticising the pair and other’s voicing their support.
Xiaoyu adds,
We want to get married but this incident still has an impact on both of us and on our families as well,”
Homosexuality was removed from China’s official list of mental disorders in 2001 but remains a taboo subject, and earlier this year, a series of adverts urging people to be more accepting of gay people were launched across the country.