Some extremely sad news from non-profit community organization ShanghaiPRIDE, a force for good in the city for over a decade now, who have announced that they have ceased all activities indefinitely. In a message sent out to volunteers, sponsors and partners they cited the need "to protect the safety of all involved." Read into that what you will. Thoroughly depressing. Here's their official statement:
ShanghaiPRIDE began in 2009 as a small community event in celebration of acceptance and diversity. We hoped to instill a sense of belonging in anyone who sought it and nurtures an environment of inclusion and love.
Over the past 12 years, we worked hard to enrich the culture and diversity of this city that we love so much: we showcased inspired artwork, theater, and films; we fostered connections through job fairs and group open days; we offered a platform for individuals to share authentic stories about their lives; we threw parties that brought people together; and we hosted forums to trade wisdom on how to make Shanghai a more vibrant, inclusive place.
Pride has a lot of different meanings for different people – for us, it has always been about showing our community that not only is there nothing wrong with who we are, but that our identities and the people that we love are worth celebrating.
ShanghaiPRIDE regrets to announce that we are canceling all upcoming activities and taking a break from scheduling any future events. We love our community, and we are grateful for the experiences we’ve shared. No matter what, we will always be proud – and you should be, too.
Team ShanghaiPRIDE
Shanghai just got darker. Let's hope rainbow colors will be back to brighten it up again soon.
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