Pride and prejudice

Going abroad felt like the only way out to Dylan Chen several years ago. The 26-year-old gay man, like many others, thought homosexuals could never survive, let alone be happy, in China.

Now, however, he enjoys every minute of his life in a country which he thinks is growing increasingly tolerant of the homo sub-culture. There are limitations to how far such tolerance could go, of course. For instance, he still shies away from telling his parents his sexual orientation.

With the launch of China's first gay pride festival in Shanghai earlier this month, there are clear signs of what an increasingly proud and united LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community can achieve. "They are having fun, reaching out, and spreading the message for a more open and diversified society," says Chen.