Beijing police cancel China's first gay pageant

Organisers said police arrived at the upscale restaurant and club where the Mr Gay China contest was to be held and told them they did not have the proper licence.

The sudden cancellation came despite considerable pre-event media coverage this week, even in China's state-run press, that had touted the pageant as a coming out for Chinese gays.

(...) Contestants in the pageant -- which was to have included an underwear segment -- were to vie for the right to represent China at the Worldwide Mr Gay pageant in Norway next month.

"Police said we didn't have the proper licence," said Ryan Dutcher, one of the organisers, who said they were still trying to negotiate with police late on Friday to let the event proceed.

"I'm very disappointed but I can't say I'm very surprised."

"(Police) came here just before the event. We didn't have any advance warning," he added.

The pageant also was to have included a fashion show segment and a question-and-answer round, organisers had said previously.

Participants and organisers had hoped the contest would help underline what many have said are growing signs of acceptance of gay men and women in China, where homosexuality has long been viewed with shame.

Homosexuality was a crime in China until 1997 and it was officially considered a mental illness until 2001. Since then, however, an increasing number of visible gay and lesbian events has taken place.