China’s CCTV stunned into silence with LGBTQ scene at Paris Olympics opening ceremony

The decision by Chinese state television to broadcast LGBTQ related content during the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony quickly became a hot topic on social media.

Such sights are rare on public platforms given the topic remains a taboo in Chinese mainstream media.

The scene in question, which sparked the most heated discussions on Chinese social media, involved three dancers with a clear romantic relationship.

The group, all in bright-coloured outfits, then began reading romantic-themed French literature in the French National Library.

“This is the only time in life when you can see drag queens and pride-themed performances on China Central Television,” a user wrote on Instagram-like platform Xiaohongshu.

The trio then went up a spiral staircase as they hugged and almost kissed. The scene ended with one of the performers shutting the viewer out with the suggestion the rest of the act would be better performed behind closed doors.