Florida Federal Judge issues ruling allowing gay marriages across the state. (Photo : Getty Images)
Qui Bai, a senior from Sun Yat Sen University, filed a case against the Ministry of Education because homosexuals are referred to a psychological condition in a textbook.
Guangdong's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) for college textbooks included the use of the textbook in schools. The book categorized homosexuality in the same group as pedophilia, zoophilia, and necrophilia.
The book recommended "aversion therapy," which includes electric shock, to rid the person of his or her homosexual attachment.
On describing the proceedings of the trial, Qui said that the Ministry kept silent and did not want to reveal much information on their review standards.
"They kept silent on the ministry's responsibility to review textbooks . . . and on the fact that the textbook has stigmatized homosexuality," Qiu added.
She also said that the Ministry denies any involvement in stigmatizing homosexuals. They also refuse to include the review of the book in its mandatory evaluation of learning materials.
"Since 2001 when homosexuality was declassified as an illness in mainland China, 40 percent of the psychology and mental health teaching materials published on the mainland say homosexuality is an illness," Qiu said.
She added, "As someone studying within the education system, when the ministry of education tells me that the education materials have no connection with us and we won't deal with it, it's really disappointing."
Qiu and his lawyer are not hopeful that the Chinese government will have a change of perspective. The government is stern with its anti-gay position.
A gay couple's appeal to marry was also denied by the Supreme Court.
"Even though the case was rejected by the court I still think it is a big step since it has already raised huge attention and discussion, which was the case's original goal," said Shen, a gay right's activist.
