Cultural Activities for LGBT Community in Shanghai

Shanghai Qingai Health Center hosted three events from August to October. Below are the details:

Aug. 13, 19:00 to 21:00

How Do Same-Gender Couples Raise Kids — Guide to Parenting in Same-Gender Parent Families Panel

Panelists: Maoding, Paddy

Attendance: 25 people registered and 19 were present

Expenditure: 0 CNY

In the latest Zai Ren Jian (“Living”) section of Phoenix News Media (ifeng.com), photographer Feng Zhonghao recorded how a Chinese same-gender couple who had been together for nine years parented their three surrogacy children. Often do we discuss same-gender marriage right and surrogacy abroad, but these topics are not the end of the discussion. Same-gender lovers who have overcome the impediments of gender, customs and finance and successfully welcomed their children still face a challenge: what should parenting be like in such “nontraditional” families? This challenge is both more difficult and more crucial than what the couples have met before: it concerns the life of a newborn. The unique family form of same-gender parents destines that the children will experience certain “nontraditional” growing pains. In the panel, we provided concrete and practical guide on the basis of the classic therapy Satir Model for parenting psychologically healthy children in same-gender parent families.

The Satir Model has four major goals in promoting the growth of same-gender couples and their children: one, to have greater self esteem; two, to make better choices; three, to become more responsible selves; four, to have more harmony and more congruence between family and individuals. In addition, Paddy discussed his own experience with his two children, and enabled the audience to have a clearer understanding of the panel topic.

Sept. 12, 15:00 to 17:00

HIV Medication Usage Panel

Panelist: Li Hui

Attendance: 90 people registered and 86 were present

Expenditure: 800 CNY lecture fee

A critical problem HIV-infected people face is medication usage. Many have wondered what CD4 and CD8 stand for, what their count mean, what to do if there is drug tolerance, how to deal with side effects, and what to do if one happens to miss a dose or overdose. They are also concerned with the news, including their lifespan under the medications and new possibilities of the medications. We invited Mr. Li Hui, who is quite an leading person in the area in China, to address the topic and answer questions. Li Hui has worked for HIV prevention and control for twelve years; he is Chief of the AIDS Prevention and Control Section of Jinan City Shizhong District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Director of Shandong Province Association of AIDS Prevention and Control, Associate Senior Traditional Chinese Pharmacist, National Grade 2 Psychological Consultant, member of Chinese Psychological Consultant Society, National Social Worker.

Oct. 14, 14:30 to 16:00

Floral Gathering, Three After Noon — Arranging Flowers and Making Friends

Guest: Momo

Attendance: 30 people registered and 30 were present

Expenditure: 66 CNY

Nothing in the world is as beautiful and as peaceful as flowers. Not only can flowers be presented as gifts, but also they can dissipate our grief, anger, and weariness and refresh us. There is great pleasure in cultivating and appreciating flowers. After hosting many panels on serious topics, Qingai planned to present people with a special flower-arranging experience. We invited Momo, owner of Roududu Flower Shop, to introduce the art of flower-arranging, the designs and the aesthetics. Attendees were able to roam freely with their imagination and express their aesthetics under Momo’s professional guidance. We also provided a opportunity for socializing: people could arrange flowers face to face and with each other’s help, make new friends and enjoy the afternoon.