NETIZENS in China have put an abrupt stop to social media site Sina Weibo’s plans to ban all material relating to gay culture in what they called a 3-month “clean-up” effort.

The initiative, announced Friday, prompted widespread criticism from internet users who used the hashtags #iamgay and #iamgaynotapervert to highlight their disdain and bombard the social network with photos of gay couples and rainbow emojis.

“I am the mother of a gay son. My son and I love our country,” one woman in Shanghai wrote, as reported by the Guardian. “No matter where we go we tell others loudly and proudly that we are from China … But today … I suddenly [find] that in this strong country, Sina Weibo is discriminating against and attacking this sexual........

© Asian Correspondent