Gay pageant contestants want acceptance, not hype

Steven Zhang took three days to make the decision to participate in China's first-ever Mr Gay Pageant to be held this evening in Beijing, with his hesitation coming from worries over what would happen when he was "outed" by the event.

He did not expect the huge media attention both from home and abroad before the event.

The 30-year-old Liaoning native, who broke up with his boyfriend months ago, is now worried that the media exposure, particularly within the nation, would lead to unwanted consequences like losing his job or hurting his family's feelings, due to the social stigma and discrimination against homosexuals.