News - What was set to be a historic night for the gay community in China ended up being cancelled by police just minutes before the 8 contestants took to the stage. Mr. Gay China would have been China's first gay pageant and was supposed to give a confidence boost to the emerging Chinese gay community.

Everything was set at Bejing's LAN club for a great night but this was all ended abruptly when police arrived at the venue and halted all preparations of China's first gay pageant. Organiser Ben Zhang tried to negotiate a reprieve but was told that the organisation had not done things according to procedures. According to police the organisation did not apply for approval for an event that included performances.

Eight men were supposed to battle it out in a talent round, a fashion round and a swimwear round.

Homosexuality was classed as an illness in China until 2001. These days there are gay support groups and gay venues, some even backed by the government, in most major cities. But being gay is still a sensitive issue in the very traditional Chinese society.