China Gets Gay TV Show

HONG KONG -- China is getting it's first gay "TV show" Thursday with the launch of a new web site that is focusing on gay issues. The show will also have an openly gay host.

The hourlong Internet TV show "Tongxing Xianglian," or "Connecting Homosexuals," will be sent weekly on the web site phoenixtv.com, producer Gang Gang told The Associated Press.

Gang hopes the show will improve public understanding of Chinese homosexuals. Even though homosexuals have appeared on Chinese TV shows before, this is the first time a show will focus on gay issues and the first with an openly gay host, AIDS activist Didier Zheng.

"There are many people in China's gay community, but people don't have a deep enough understanding about this community. This community faces a lot of trouble and difficulties. They face a lot of pressure," Gang said.

The new show will explore homosexuality from legal, parental and sociological perspectives, dealing with issues like gay marriage, Gang said. The program will also feature a friend-matching portion.