Jay’s foundation had been applied, and his face powdered. The swimming trunks had been laid out and the judges were in place for the inaugural Mr Gay China pageant. Then the police arrived.
Less than an hour before the contestants were due on stage, the police scrapped the country’s first gay pageant, showing just how far homosexuality is from winning acceptance in this conservative society.
Ben Zhang had gathered a host in drag, some of China’s most prominent gays and a carefully invited audience at a swish, black-walled club designed by Philippe Starck in the heart of Beijing.
The eight contestants were in make-up when a group of uniformed police marched into the club. Mr Zhang said that they told him there was nothing wrong with the homosexual content, but: “You did not do things according to procedures.”
Jay, from the northern port city of Tianjin, told The Times: “I’m rather disappointed. I never expected they would cancel.” Dressed in a form-fitting white shirt, hip-hugging black trousers and sharply pointed black shoes, and with an earring in his left ear, the slender 29-year-old said shyly that he believed he had a chance of winning. “I think my figure is my greatest asset,” he said.
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Mr Zhang had said that he hoped a successful pageant would encourage greater awareness and tolerance in a country where gays are frequently discriminated against and ostracised.
The winner would have taken part in the Worldwide Mr Gay pageant next month in Oslo. All the contestants chose to go by English names to conceal their real identities in case of discrimination.
Jay, along with several other contestants, said that he had not told his parents about his sexuality, although most friends, and even colleagues, were not bothered. He said: “I know it’s possible that my parents could find out after all this publicity. But they want me to get married. I think they will finally understand because I am their son.”
Difficulties for gays are easing, but are still widespread in a country that officially considered homosexuality a mental disorder until 2001. Last June China’s first gay pride festival was held in Shanghai, albeit with some events cancelled at the last minute by the authorities.