Gays, marriage, China and the story of tongqi

In China, getting married and having children is not so much a choice as a filial duty. Image: A gay-pride march in China (AAP)

But marriage is illegal for same-sex couples.

That has led to the problem of what is known as tongqi, (tong-CHEE) literally translated as "homowives," straight women who unknowingly marry gay men.

A recent report claims there are 16 million in China.

But now a new generation of young LGBT -- lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender -- Chinese say they have found a practical solution to the problem.

 

Katrina Yu reports.