By Yaxuan Wang, Class of 2027
On Friday, March 28, 2025, DKU faculty, staff, and students gathered for our second reading group session on “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education.” This event brought together participants from various backgrounds for a timely and engaging discussion on the experiences of LGBTQ+ communities, with a particular focus on the Chinese social and cultural context.
The session began with a brief overview of the week’s reading, which examined the current landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals in China.The article highlighted the rise in visibility and online activism alongside persistent challenges such as censorship, traditional family structures, and limited legal recognition. Participants reflected on how these overlapping dynamics shape the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people in China, especially youth.
Facilitators Dr. Zhenjie Weng and Dr. Yanan Zhao led the group in an open and thoughtful conversation. Participants shared insights into how LGBTQ+ issues are discussed—or not discussed—within their own communities, and what kinds of language and representation are available to them. The discussion emphasized the importance of solidarity, active listening, and creating safer spaces where queer voices can be heard and respected.
The session concluded with a hands-on group activity, where participants were asked to rank five categories of policy recommendations from most to least important or feasible. The categories included: Legal and Policy Reforms; Public Awareness and Social Inclusion; Healthcare and Mental Health Services; Education and Employment Protections; and Support for Civil Society and Research. Each group compared their rankings and justified their choices based on real-world considerations, sparking further reflection on what meaningful change might look like in both local and national contexts.
The event was organized by Dr. Zhenjie Weng, Assistant Professor of English Language Education, and Dr. Yanan Zhao, Senior Lecturer of English for Academic Purposes, from the Language and Culture Center, and was sponsored by the Humanities Research Center. Student worker Yaxuan Wang contributed to the planning and success of the event.
