Censorship triggers LGBTQ uproar

WeChat, the most widely used social media app in China, allegedly has blocked several online accounts of LGBTQ activism groups. All posts from groups such as Huazong University of Technology’s “Gay Pride” and Peking University’s “ColorsWorld” could no longer be accessed. In its place, a notification appeared: “all content has been blocked and account use has been stopped.” According to a short statement, Wechat had received “relevant complaints” about the pages. Account names of the groups were changed to “Untitled Account.” The feminist student group “Zhihe Society” of Fudan University in Shanghai also stated its official WeChat account had been deleted. “It is very clear that there is no way Zhihe’s original account can be retrieved in the short term,” the organization said.