Atlantis Events announced the first gay-themed cruise that will make a route from the port of Shanghai, through Taiwan and Japan and it will go back to Hong Kong. In the route it will also get to the Chinese port of Busan.

The Taiwanese gay community expects the authorities to provide for this group, the same welcome that is usually given to the rest of the cruise at their arrival in port, the famous lion dance, drums and fireworks. In Taiwan, gays are gaining visibility gradually, but still face many obstacles, especially to develop their own services for their community. Much more difficult is the situation of the civil rights of gays and lesbians in China. The arrival of nearly 350 homosexual couples will be, no doubt a shock to society.

While a single act generally does not cause major changes, moreover in the stage of the long Chinese history, local LGBT people has echoed the first arrival of a gay cruise to China next March. This is proved by publications and blogs from the community, as the blog Aibai.com and other organizations defending the rights of gays and lesbians in China.

http://www.atlantisevents.com/cruises_2010_shanghai.aspx