Two of the most popular gay dating applications in China have been removed from the country’s app stores, sparking concerns about increased repression of the LGBT community.
As of Tuesday, Blued and Finka were no longer accessible on Apple’s app store and certain Android platforms. Users who have previously downloaded the applications seem to still have access to them.
Both applications remain available for download from their official websites, and no official statement has been made regarding their removal.
In a statement to Wired, Apple remarked: “We adhere to the laws of the nations in which we operate. Following directives from the Cyberspace Administration of China, these two apps have been removed solely from our China storefront.”
Apple operates a distinct app store in China, in compliance with local regulations. Popular applications such as Facebook, Instagram, and other Western social media platforms are inaccessible to Chinese users. Furthermore, international dating apps like Grindr and Tinder are also blocked.
Blued, which was established in China in 2012, is the nation’s most popular dating app for gay men, boasting over 40 million registered users globally. Despite diversifying into live streaming and other services in recent years, it primarily remains an app catered to gay men.
The parent company of Blued acquired Finka in 2020.
Although homosexuality is legal in China, the public expression of LGBT identities has become increasingly suppressed after years of progressive changes. LGBT civil society organizations have been forced to shut down, and China’s largest Pride event, Shanghai Pride, was canceled in 2020. In September, a horror film featuring a gay couple was modified digitally for its release in China.
The founder of an LGBT community organization, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, expressed being “very shocked” at the removal of Blued and Finka from app stores.
“In recent years, the space for sexual minorities has been diminishing…but I was unprepared for the news that online spaces are also disappearing,” he stated.
“Do apps like Blued not aid in fostering social stability and harmony? Why remove them from app stores? I find it challenging to grasp the reasoning behind this,” he continued.
The reason for the app removals and their permanence remains unclear, but internet users have rapidly expressed their concerns.
One WeChat user remarked that Blued “helped countless individuals realize they were not alone, bringing a marginalized group into focus.”
The Cyberspace Administration of China was not available for comment.
ANania Williams is Genress, known to some for their comedic TikTok videos and to others as the host of Gader, a viral show focusing on queer culture, history, and current events. Their interview with New York City mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani gained significant attention, and Williams has also made an impact through performance art, including open icons like Chapel Lawn and Bob the Drug Queen, and various roles in musical theatre such as Laura in Kinky Boots and Dominique in Lucky Stiff.
For years, Williams has crafted a creative universe all their own. At just 25, this gender non-conforming Black artist employs their/her pronouns and has cultivated a strong social media presence with over 2.8 million followers. They are carving a niche for themselves outside the traditional binary. In their upcoming project, Williams will star in the new musical Saturday Church at the New York Theatre Workshop, debuting on August 27th. The production explores the sanctuary for LGBTQ+ youth. “It’s a musical that captures a unique atmosphere,” Williams remarked. “It embodies a strange, black joy and conveys a beautiful message.”
Williams embraces another role in their burgeoning theatre career as a trans woman. “The more I embraced my transition, the more positive I felt,” they shared. “It was empowering to inhabit spaces where I could truly be myself.” Their talent and charisma make their ascent seem almost predestined. As they juggle various projects, navigating their extensive future and the complexities of being an online presence remains an ongoing challenge.
Growing Up
Growing up in Davenport, Iowa, a town of about 100,000 in the industrial Midwest, posed its own challenges for Williams. They faced bullying at school for “having a girl’s name,” and their family life was marked by turbulence, including abuse and neglect. However, life in the Midwest also planted the seeds for their artistic aspirations. As a child, they sang in the church choir and later joined the show choir, inspired by their sister.
Williams pursued a Musical Theatre Program at Emerson College in Boston. This period became pivotal, allowing them to reflect on their identity and desires. Still, the world of musical theatre presented its own binaries and constraints. As someone who identifies outside traditional gender norms and as a Black individual, Williams felt restricted. “I thought, ‘It feels forbidden to exist beyond the gender binary,’ and simultaneously to be Black,” Williams recalled.
Even as Williams sought to carve their path, they encountered resistance from professors. “They kept questioning why I gravitated toward ‘girl’s songs.’ I tried to explain, but it fell flat,” Williams shared.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Williams returned to their hometown and, like many, awaited a return to normalcy. The quarantine period prompted significant reflection and helped them fully acknowledge their gender identity. “I had to confront some truths, like, ‘Yes, I’m different. Yes, I might be gender non-conforming.’ It spiraled from there,” they recounted.
Around the same time, they began creating content on TikTok, quickly gaining recognition for their humorous rants during late-night walks. Much of their content served as spontaneous commentary on topics including religion and personal relationships. In 2022, they began discussing their gender identity more openly, sharing videos about their makeup and drag routines.
Reflecting on that time evokes mixed emotions for Williams. On one hand, they cherish the growth they experienced alongside a loyal audience. “My audience has been with me through my evolution,” they expressed. “They watched me put on makeup for the first time or try on my first wig. Those supporters motivate me to continue, even as I sometimes wish to revert to the earlier version of myself.”
The Rise of Gader
The nature of their content has continually evolved. In 2024, Williams became the host of Gader, a show created by Amelia Montooth on the company’s mutual media platform. The show quizzes various guests on queer culture to determine if they exhibit “straight, homophobic” tendencies, with questions about “lipstick lesbians” that assess guest knowledge of gay icons. In many instances, Williams learns alongside participants in real time. “I didn’t even know who Sue Bird was, and I was being schooled by the lesbians on the street.”
The show creates a comedic environment intended to educate audiences. “We weave fascinating histories and cultures into accessible questions and snippets, ensuring a relaxed atmosphere for learning,” Williams explained. “We provide facts and context, urging viewers to care about these narratives.”
Initially, early versions of the show featured Williams interacting with strangers on the street, but it has since hosted many public figures and celebrities, including Vivienne Jenna Wilson, the daughter of singer Lucy Dux, Rene Rapp, and billionaire Elon Musk. A highlight was having progressive NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani as one of their guests, who generated buzz as one of the first politicians to appear on the show. Mamdani surprised attendees by succeeding in a challenge at a popular lesbian bar in Manhattan.
“He was so open and engaging throughout,” Williams noted. “We educated the younger audience about who he is, and he spoke about his vision,” they added. “It feels rewarding to contribute to the contemporary discourse in this way, knowing we’re making an impact.”
Williams’ journey hasn’t been without challenges, facing harsh criticism as they have become more vocal about their transition. “People are trying to categorize aspects like fashion, makeup, and hair, as if I must adhere to certain stereotypes,” Williams said, referring to online trolls. “While I hope society is becoming more accustomed to the presence of trans individuals, I feel there’s still a narrow, stereotypical vision of what trans identities should look like.”
Yet, Williams has managed to maintain genuine connections, alongside the trials of their journey. They are supported by family and childhood friends, a partner, and acquaintances from TikTok. Outside content creation, they indulge in hobbies like baking and gaming, steering clear of the pressures to monetize their life. “I was working on a birthday cake for a friend later that night,” Williams laughed. “I can recall the color but not the flavor—either red velvet or strawberry!”
The Trump administration has terminated over $800 million in research related to the health of LGBTQ individuals, halting studies on cancers and viruses that predominantly impact sexual minority groups, and has intensified efforts to combat the resurgence of sexually transmitted infections, as highlighted by a New York Times analysis of federal data.
Reflecting its strong opposition to diversity initiatives and adolescent gender care, the administration has actively sought to eliminate standard measures and research affecting transgender health.
This crackdown reaches beyond specific issues, curtailing essential medical research on diseases disproportionately affecting LGBTQ populations, which constitute nearly 10% of American adults.
An examination of grant-related reviews revealed that out of 669 grants, 323—almost half—were fully or partially canceled in early May regarding LGBTQ health.
Federal authorities had earmarked $806 million for projects that were canceled, many of which were anticipated to generate additional funding in the coming years.
Numerous research institutions faced funding losses. This includes not just high-profile targets like Johns Hopkins and Columbia but also public universities in the South and Midwest like Ohio State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Florida State University has canceled a research initiative worth $41 million, which included significant efforts to prevent HIV among adolescents and young adults, who account for the majority of new infections in the U.S. each year.
In a cancellation letter issued in recent months, the NIH justified the reductions by stating that LGBTQ projects “no longer align with agency priorities.” In some cases, the agency claimed that the canceled research was “based on gender identity,” resulting in “unscientific” outcomes that disregarded “biological reality.”
Other termination letters indicated that researchers erred by focusing on “artificial and unscientific categories” primarily driven by vague equity objectives.
These funding cuts come after a decade of increased federal support for LGBTQ research, encouraged by the NIH during the Obama administration, which welcomed grant proposals that focused on sexual and gender minorities.
Supporters of President Trump contend that much of this research is tainted by ideological bias.
“There was a trend of scientific malpractice to align conclusions with preconceived notions,” stated Roger Severino from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank influential in shaping Trump administration policies.
“It was founded on the erroneous belief that biology is almost irrelevant, alongside the political agenda that sought to normalize the idea of changing one’s sex.”
Researchers stated that canceling research on a broad range of diseases affecting sexual and gender minorities has effectively created a perception of a hierarchy among patients, deeming some as less valuable.
“Certain segments of the U.S. population should not be considered inferior as subjects of research,” remarked Simon Rosser, a professor at the University of Minnesota, whose lab focused on cancer in LGBTQ individuals before significant funding was withdrawn.
“This is a clear example of bias,” he emphasized. “It’s a form of prejudice in scientific research.”
The cancellation of these projects is a striking indication of the widespread dismantling of the research framework that has supported medical study in the United States for the past 80 years.
In addition to halting studies, federal officials have delayed grant payments, postponed review meetings, and expanded new grant awards.
Recently, Trump proposed slashing the NIH budget from approximately $48 billion to $27 billion, citing part of a broader agenda perceived as aimed at combating “radical gender ideology.”
The legality of these terminations remains uncertain. Two separate lawsuits challenge the broad cancellation of grants, with a group of researchers and others arguing that the Trump administration lacked a lawful basis for these cuts in 16 states.
The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services have not provided comments upon request.
Health department spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated to the Daily Signal, a conservative outlet, last month that the shifts which “alleviate politicized gender and identity studies” were “in line with the president’s executive order.”
In a statement, the NIH commented: “NIH is taking steps to terminate research funding that does not align with NIH and HHS priorities. We are committed to reinstating traditions that support evidence-based science.”
Lost funding has hindered critical studies on antibiotic resistance, undiagnosed autism among sexual minorities, and specific cancers that disproportionately affect these groups. The funding cuts have resulted in layoffs at several LGBTQ-focused laboratories that were poised for expansion.
Historically, the NIH has reserved grant cancellations for rare instances of research misconduct or potential participant harm. Scientists now argue that the recent cuts are doing more harm than protection for research participants.
They indicated the cessation of clinical trials where federal funding is short, affecting the care of volunteer participants.
“We are halting initiatives that prevent suicide and sexual violence,” remarked Katie Edwards, a professor at the University of Michigan, whose funding for various clinical trials involving LGBTQ individuals has been canceled.
The HIV studies have been particularly severely impacted.
The NIH has terminated major grants to the Adolescent Medical Exam Network for HIV/AIDS interventions, a program that established precursors for using medication therapy in adolescents to prevent infections.
The regimen known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is recognized as a promising strategy to reduce HIV transmission in youth.
The funding reductions threaten to amplify HIV transmission among young sexual minority men using stimulants as they aim to monitor a continuous trial of products that prevent both HIV and unplanned pregnancies, alongside sexual health counseling and behavioral therapy.
With the termination of numerous other HIV studies, these cuts are undermining Trump’s aims established during his prior term to eradicate the national HIV epidemic within a decade, according to scientists.
The NIH has also halted efforts relating to other sexually transmitted infections.
Dr. Matthew Spinelli, an infectious disease researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, was in the midst of clinical trials on common antibiotics for post-exposure prophylaxis aimed at preventing syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infections.
The trial involved a randomized study assigning participants to different antibiotic regimens to assess metabolism.
However, health officials ceased funding for the March study, objecting to research based on “gender identity.” Consequently, Dr. Spinelli could not apply federal funds to monitor participants already on antibiotics.
Moreover, he risked wasting thousands of doses of antibiotics acquired using taxpayer money. Dr. Spinelli warned that discontinuing efforts against infections like syphilis and HIV will allow new outbreaks to arise.
“The HIV epidemic is poised to surge again as a direct result of these actions,” Dr. Spinelli stated. “This is catastrophic for the communities affected.”
Despite a recent focus on the negative consequences of medical transition, federal officials have canceled several studies examining the potential risks of hormone therapies. These projects aimed to understand whether such treatments could elevate the chances of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain development issues, or HIV.
Other canceled grants sought to address mental health challenges in transgender individuals. Transgender youth, who currently represent around 3% of high school students, report significantly higher instances of persistent grief and suicide attempts.
For Dr. Edwards at the University of Michigan, funding has been halted for one of her six canceled studies examining how depression and self-harm among transgender teens can be mitigated.
Another study aimed at promoting supportive care for LGBTQ youth and reducing dating violence and alcohol consumption among these individuals.
The NIH categorizes studies strictly by specific illnesses, complicating efforts for agencies to estimate budgets for LGBTQ health research. Nonetheless, a report from March suggested that such studies accounted for less than 1% of the NIH’s portfolio over a decade.
The Times sought to quantify the scale of funding cuts in LGBTQ medical research by assessing grant titles. Research summaries were available for each of the 669 grants the Trump administration identified as fully or partially canceled in early May.
The review included studies designed to recruit participants from sexual and gender minorities, extending beyond grants strictly tied to LGBTQ issues and highlighting significant health disparities.
Grants related to diseases outside of the LGBTQ scope were excluded from this assessment.
The reduction in funding has hollowed out fields that not only flourished over the past decade but also encompassed a variety of health threats beyond HIV.
Researchers claim young academics have lost their positions in LGBTQ-related research and are erasing traces of their work from online profiles.
Brittany Charlton, a professor at Harvard School of Public Health, had five grants canceled, including one examining the notable uptick in stillbirth rates among LGBTQ women.
Discontinuing research into health threats impacting gender and sexual minorities ultimately affects the broader population, she stated. “When those around you become ill, it impacts you too, even if you believe it doesn’t,” she concluded.
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