A HONG Kong-based non-governmental organization will launch China's first financial awards for research on homosexuality next year as part of its efforts to eliminate discrimination against gay people, the Shanghai Daily reports.
A HONG Kong-based non-governmental organization will launch China's first financial awards for research on homosexuality next year as part of its efforts to eliminate discrimination against gay people, the Shanghai Daily reports.
The Chi Heng Foundation said yesterday in Shanghai that the awards will be given for outstanding research papers on any worthy topic related to homosexuality, such as gay lifestyles, support networks, AIDS prevention and the legal environment.
Anyone who conducts evidence-based research is eligible to submit the findings for award consideration. China's young university students are expected to be the biggest contributor group.
Foundation officials said the number of awards, each ranging between 1,000 yuan (US$126) and 2,000 yuan, will depend on the number of applicants each year.
Chi Heng supports public education designed to half discrimination against homosexuals and provides help to AIDS orphans in Henan Province.
Organization founder To Chung said the group's goal is to encourage more researchers to study homosexuality.
"Homosexuals have moved into the spotlight in recent years with the society's growing tolerance. But the number of experts who conduct research on the subject is very limited," To said.
China is estimated to be home to 20 million to 30 million gay people. But there are no more than 30 researchers who specialize in the subject across China, according to the foundation.
"Many scholars might feel alienated if they focused their research in an area that's snubbed by their mainstream fellows," To said.
Inadequate scientific research prevents the general public from understanding homosexuality, he said.
In 2003, the foundation teamed up with Fudan University to conduct an elective course on gay studies, inviting renowned scholars and homosexuals to lecture undergraduates and postgraduates.
The 70-seat classroom was packed with more than 120 students each time the course met, with many observers sitting in the corridors.
"We are curious, because we seldom have a chance to talk with gays in such a straightforward way," said Sun Yimin, a postgraduate student at Fudan University's medical school.
The foundation also said it will get lesbian speakers involved in the course for the first time this semester.
