Q-Wave is excited to host Ying Xin (Iron), Executive Director of the Beijing LGBT Center in an evening of learning and conversation. This event is co-sponsored by GAPIMNY, API Rainbow Parents, and Chinese Rainbow Network.

Established in 2008, the Beijing LGBT Center has focused on advancing the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people nation-wide. It was one of the first China-based organizations to recognize the importance of mental health among the LGBTQ population. LGBTQ people in China are at 3x the risk of developing depression as the rest of the Chinese population and approximately 5% of LGBTQ people are “completely out” (i.e. out to family, friends, work). The Beijing LGBT Center has established a LGBTQ-friendly therapist network and runs a hotline dedicated to transgender individuals.

Starting as a grassroots campus organizer, Ying has worked with many LGBTQ groups, at home and abroad. She will first share how it’s like to live as an LGBTQ person in China. She will then introduce the Center’s research on the Chinese LGBTQ mental health situation and how they are raising awareness and supporting members of this community. She will also speak about the Center’s strategy against gay conversion therapy in China.

There will also be time for a Q&A section. All are welcome!

Note: The event will be held in English

Ying Xin is the executive director of the Beijing LGBT Center. Currently, she is doing a visiting scholarship program at Columbia University. Since 2009, she has been actively campaigning for LGBT rights. At the Beijing LGBT Center, Ying has led advocacy and awareness campaigns against conversion therapy for LGBT persons and for the removal of homosexuality from the CCMD-3 ( Chinese Classification of Mental Disorder). Ying also co-curated the China Women’s Film Festival and co-founded Wuhan Rainbow, a community-based LGBT organization. Ying was an initiator of the National Survey on Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression in China, which was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Development Program and Peking University. She also initiated the first National Survey on Living situation of transgender people in China. She holds a bachelor degree and master degree in public administration from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, and a bachelor degree in Japanese from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.