同志亦凡人

同志亦凡人 is one of China's first online TV shows dealing specifically with LGBT issues. This is a low budget production based in Beijing. The format of the program is set up like a talk show, every week the hosts (Steven and Xiaogang) interview a new guest. While the show itself isn't the most exciting (at times it can be as interesting as a sunday morning televangelist program), it is definitely groundbreaking. The guys behind the show have taken it upon themselves to do their bit for the promotion of understanding. In one segment a roving reporter interviews people in the streets, inquiring where they stand on the issue of homosexuality. A funny moment occurs when a man is asked if he has any gay friends and he replies, "No, but I know a guy whose Spanish." So far mixed reviews of the show have been received from Chinese viewers.

Here's what Shanghaiist has to say about the show:

"...while Chinese media have often been derided for being overly acquiescent to the state, they have to be given credit for creatively pushing back the ambiguous out-of-boundary markers of state censors, especially in recent years. And to the cynics out there, we would just like to say that these shows are really not about preaching to the converted, but for reaching out to the large swathes of ignorant masses here. In this arena, the Internet presents much hope and opens up previously unthinkable opportunities. With time, one can only hope that these issues can be given a proper airing not just on the Internet, but also on state TV, because let's not forget — over a billion Chinese people are not online just yet."