China’s LGBT community has had a tough year: Censors have shut down social media forums, news media have curbed coverage of gay issues, and online shops have removed rainbow-themed products. The tighter restrictions have led the LGBT community in China – fearing a crackdown – to prepare for muted celebrations of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Friday (May 17). “We don’t really know what to do. The LGBT community in many ways is being bullied and the sense of powerlessness becomes stronger,” said Rush, a university student who only gave her pen name for fear of repercussions. For last year’s International Day, diversity events sprung up across the country’s universities where many students voluntarily distributed rainbow badges and flyers to show their support for LGBT groups.