It’s certainly not Pride month in China.
A lesbian couple is suing a zoo in Guangzhou as well as the tourism booking service Ctrip after they were denied a promotion being offered to couples.
The case, now advancing to China’s top courts, is a prime example of the state’s lack of recognition for the LGBTQ community “despite a growing acceptance,” according to a South China Morning Post report.
The couple arrived at Chimelong Safari Park on May 21, China’s unofficial Valentine’s Day, presenting a “couple’s package” that would have provided a discount of 90 yuan (about $14).
Instead, they were turned away and told the coupon was meant for only “a man and a woman.”
Ctrip refunded the couple for the price of the promotional package, and furthermore removed the listing from its site, as well as travel service Fliggy (whose parent company Alibaba Group also owned South China Morning Post).
“I don’t want my girlfriend to think that being in a relationship with me means tolerating injustice,” one of the women, who asked not to be identified, told the outlet. “I want our love not to be discriminated against and for love in our community not to be overlooked.”
The safari has a history of sexual discrimination, according to SCMP, including a 2018 incident in which another customer claimed that Chimelong was offering a “couple’s ticket” that expressly stated a restriction to “one man and one woman only” pairs. Public outcry at the time prompted the park to issue an apology.
The couple’s lawyer Zhong Wen is bringing the lawsuit based on a claim that Ctrip and Chimelong Safari Park had violated their purchasing contract by discriminating against sexual minorities.
“From an analytical legal point of view, I think it’s quite certain that Chimelong and Ctrip had broken their contract,” added Wen.



