Is China's new pro-gay image all smoke?

Chinese authorities shut down the country's first gay pageant on Friday, an hour before the event was scheduled to begin.

Eight police officers arrived at the central Beijing bar alleging that bar owner Ben Zhang failed to follow the proper procedures before holding a stage performance. The Mr. Gay China contest was then cancelled.

What we thought were the beginnings of new affirmative views towards Chinese LGBTers may have been media smoke stacks released to boost the country's sludged human rights image. Authorities have been known to cite procedural discrepancies, as was the case with the Mr. Gay China pageant, to block events surrounding "sensitive issues." However, progress takes time, especially when new tones of acceptance must burrow through inscribed beliefs.

"In China, the population of gay people is large, but many of them cannot live in the sunshine," contestant Xue Fei told The Guardian. "I really hope we can live with our heads held high and face the world happily."