China’s macro environment and LGBTQ+ rights: The benefits of an online support community to promote marriage equality

Many LGBTQ+ communities have been actively campaigning to influence their countries to promote equality and protect human rights, including the right to same-sex marriage. However, the macro environment in China, including public policy and social attitudes, heavily influences such activism, which is progressing almost silently. The social environment shaped by traditional values still discriminates against and marginalizes sexual minorities, making it challenging to establish marriage equality. With literature review, this paper argues that grassroots LGBTQ+ communities should strengthen communication through non-confrontational online networks.