Gay rights storm in Beijing as senior British diplomat marries boyfriend at ambassador's residence

Pictures posted on Weibo sparking a storm over gay rights in China

9 September 2014

It had all the hallmarks of a traditional British wedding with a three-tier cake, bagpipes, a garden party and even “Keep Calm and Marry On” orders of service, but the Beijing wedding ceremony of a senior British diplomat to his male partner has sparked a fierce debate over gay rights in China.

On Saturday Brian Davidson, 50, the British consul-general to Shanghai, married his American partner in a ceremony held in the garden of the official residence of Britain's ambassador to China.

The Beijing garden is British sovereign territory, and the wedding of Mr Davidson to Scott Chang, 33, is legally binding following the introduction in June of new rules allowing UK nationals in same-sex relationships to marry at British consulates in 24 countries around the world.

The ceremony was a private affair, but Britain's ambassador Sir Sebastian Wood posted on the Chinese social media website Weibo that he was “delighted and honoured to have officiated the same-sex wedding of the UK’s consul-general in Shanghai, Brian Davidson, and his partner at my residence today. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together.”

The ambassador joined dozens of other posting images of the bow-tie-wearing couple; with Mr Davidson posting a wedding snap with the message “Love is Great”. The post was quickly shared online more than 60,000 times and sparked a fierce debate on whether China should legalise gay marriage.

While not illegal, same-sex relations are still a taboo to many in China, where electroshock therapy is still offered as a “cure” to homosexuality at some clinics. Many gay couples complain of discrimination where same-sex unions are not allowed.

Speaking by telephone from China, Mr Davidson told The Independent that the wedding was a private event and that the couple were “horrified” at the online attention it has been given.

He said: “Obviously Scott and I are very happy to have this opportunity to marry under British law. As homosexuals we are very proud that the UK is one of the few countries in the world to make this happen.”

He added: “It speaks to our principles of equality in the UK. Most of our Chinese friends were delighted to see us standing up there saying we love each other."

However Chinese commentators took to Weibo and other social media websites to expose the couple. One said, “That [Britain] is sick. It’s like the last days of Rome”. Another said that homosexual marriage is “not Chinese culture”, while others spoke of  “mental illness” saying the couple would have children with “emotional and personality crises throughout their lives”.

The majority of the posts online were neutral and some praised the couple, who met eight years ago, reflecting the fact that China’s younger tech-savvy citizens are increasingly accepting of same-sex relations. Over the weekend an online poll for Weibo following the ceremony it was found the majority of people opposed to same-sex marriage, while only 10,000 supported it.

The Chinese embassy in London refused to respond to calls from The Independent, while Chinese state media only commented that Mr Chang’s father had said his son’s choice "was totally against his own traditions".

Wedding guest Wei Jiangang, the founder of Beijing gay rights Queer Comrades, said Mr Chang’s father “blessed” the wedding.

He told The Telegraph: “Although it was not legal under Chinese law, it sends an exciting and delightful message to China's gay community. What moved me the most was their families' blessing, especially the speech given by Scott Chang's father. He said the marriage is a perversion, but that his son was a good son and as long as he is happy, he was willing to ignore the union.“

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: "This is a secret matter, and wish the couple every future happiness."