China's LGBTIQ+ community is reeling after footage emerged online of two women being attacked by security guards for wearing rainbow pride badges.
According to reports from The Guardian, the two women were blocked from entering Beijing’s popular 798 Art District on Sunday, being punched and knocked to the ground. It is understood they were wearing rainbow badges to celebrate the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Video footage of the altercation, filmed by a witness, was quick to spread on Chinese social media. Both women are were hospitalised following the incident, according to an anonymous event organiser.
The women had been given the rainbow badges by a man who has since identified himself by his online username "piaoguanjun".
"I planned to give out 5,000 rainbow badges in 798 but was stopped by the security staff," piaoquanjun told Global Times.
They continued: "We’re not even allowed to enter 798 art district while wearing rainbow badges, and we get beaten."
Despite same-sex activity being legal in China since 1997, members of the local LGBTIQ+ community continue to face social and legal challenges.
