Writer Yi-Ling Liu on Blued: How the World's Largest LGBTQ App was built in China & the Limits of Tolerance in the PRC The Arts of Travel

I was fortunate to speak with writer Yi-Ling Liu on her outstanding piece in New York Times Magazine on Blued: How a Dating App Helped a Generation of Chinese Come Out of the Closet

Our conversation touches on several issues


- The truly remarkable story of Blued's Founder Geng Le
- The wax and wane with which LBGTQ rights and acceptance have occurred in China under the PRC
- The 'pink yuan' and Neoliberal Queerness in China
- And what does a LGBTQ role in society look like if activism or organizing is forbidden.

For those looking to understand a bit more about LGBTQ culture in China, Yi-Ling was kind enough to recommend the following: 

Lan Yu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Yu_(film)

Addicted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addicted_(web_series)

And (Her words now) I'd add the Shanghai Pride Parade as well, which I think is a pretty important event for LGBT communities and NGOs in China, the recent phenomena of LGBT cruises, organized by PFLAG, China, and a TMall advertisement this year, depicting a same-sex couple returning home durin the Chinese New Year, which stirred up a lot of hubbub on Weibo.



For more of Yi-Ling's Writing you can head to her webiste here: https://www.yi-lingliu.com/

Music by Zeeky Beats

Episode Art from Yi-Ling's NYTIMES Magazine Piece.