A Screening of Love Bound
Manchester Museum x Queer East
Discover the Participation of Chinese People in the Queer Rights Movement.
Queer voices in China have never been silent. Love Bound tells the powerful story of LGBTQ+ activist Qiuyan Chen, who fought against homophobic textbooks and found herself at the centre of a movement—at a cost.
Join us for this powerful screening, followed by a discussion with Shanshan, the director; Qiuyan, the protagonist on queer activism and the importance of solidarity across borders.
Film introduction:
LGBTQ+ activist Qiuyan Chen became an unexpected celebrity due to her courageous legal battle against homophobic university textbooks in the 2010s. However, this newfound fame came at a price: she was outed by her tutor, subjected to conversion therapy by her parents, and monitored by the Chinese government. To escape these pressures, Qiuyan left for the UK, where she met her partner Bling: but her struggles were far from over. Interweaving reflections on Qiuyan’s sexuality and relationships, Shanshan Chen’s documentary examines this inspiring activist’s commitment to building a close-knit community designed to support queer East Asian people in the UK: a solo endeavour that evolves into a movement with a growing support base. Love Bound is a compelling story about love, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for a better world.
In partnership with Queer East