China's Largest Gay Dating App Was Censored After Being Launched with Government Backing. The app, called Blued, was founded by Ma Baoli, a Chinese police officer who spent years working within the government system to promote gay rights online.
Ma's efforts paid off when he successfully established a partnership between Blued and Beijing's Center for Disease Control. This led to Li Keqiang, China's executive vice premier at the time, meeting with Ma in 2012 and praising his work.
Despite this support from high-ranking officials, the app was eventually removed from all mobile app stores in China in November last year due to a request from the country's cyberspace administrator.
For tech companies in China, failure can be costly. Ma Baoli's idol, Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, has been subject to regulatory crackdowns since his company began its rise to success.
Liu notes that some dancers have left China for the US or other countries in an attempt to avoid censorship and surveillance.
"I don't see retreat and dancing as mutually exclusive," Liu said. "Taking yourself out of that environment can be a form of protest."
Ma's efforts paid off when he successfully established a partnership between Blued and Beijing's Center for Disease Control. This led to Li Keqiang, China's executive vice premier at the time, meeting with Ma in 2012 and praising his work.
Despite this support from high-ranking officials, the app was eventually removed from all mobile app stores in China in November last year due to a request from the country's cyberspace administrator.
For tech companies in China, failure can be costly. Ma Baoli's idol, Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, has been subject to regulatory crackdowns since his company began its rise to success.
Liu notes that some dancers have left China for the US or other countries in an attempt to avoid censorship and surveillance.
"I don't see retreat and dancing as mutually exclusive," Liu said. "Taking yourself out of that environment can be a form of protest."
. I mean, Ma Baoli had all the right connections, got backing from the government, and still gets censored? That's like getting kicked down for being brave 
. You'd think with Li Keqiang giving him a shoutout back in 2012, he'd have some protection under the law. But I guess old power moves can be pretty ruthless 
. It's no wonder dancers are fleeing to avoid censorship – when does art ever get a free pass in China? 
I'm so done with China's hypocrisy! Blued was literally the first step towards acceptance, and they just got rid of it?! 
It's like, one minute they're all about progress, and the next they're censoring everything that doesn't fit their narrative. 
And to think Ma Baoli, a real hero, was behind it all... what a shame! 
The fact that his own police experience gave him an edge is just wild. 
I'm all for artists and creatives making moves abroad if it means staying true to themselves! 
). But still, it's disheartening to see an app that was meant to bring people together get shut down. It just goes to show how hard it is for China to accept anything different from the norm 
. I can imagine how scary it must be for dancers in China who have to navigate a world where their art and identity are constantly under surveillance 
. Like, Liu's comment about taking yourself out of that environment being a form of protest makes total sense to me... it's not an easy decision but sometimes you gotta take a stand 
!
. I mean, who wouldn't want to partner with a gay police officer who's been fighting for LGBTQ+ rights online and get a nod from Li Keqiang? Sounds like a pretty solid plan... until the government's mood swings decided to take it all down. 
. I'm sure Jack Ma is just thrilled to see his idol going through this. Meanwhile, dancers are taking the more... creative route by leaving the country 
. I guess you could say it's a form of protest? Or maybe they're just trying to get away from all the drama 
.
i mean, ma baoli's efforts to promote gay rights online were definitely worth something, but the fact that china can just do whatever they want with tech companies is crazy 
. And what's even crazier is that his own government backing didn't save him 
.
. It's like they're literally 'dancing away' to avoid getting caught up in all this drama 
. Whatever the reason, it's definitely not easy being gay and proud in China right now 
.
. Either way, it's a shame that Blued is gone for good 
.
they deserve to be able to live their lives without fear of persecution or censorship. maybe it's time for them to consider leaving china and finding a more welcoming home 
- taking a stand by taking a step back from an environment that's not respecting your rights is a pretty powerful move 
but then the gov can just revoke that anytime they want. it's like, what's the point of having all this power if you're not gonna use it to protect people's freedoms? 
meanwhile, dancers are like "Peace out, China!" and heading to more chill places 
He's like a superhero, but instead of a cape, he's got a dating app! 
But at the same time, it's not all good news, right? Like, now they're having to leave China for other countries and stuff. 