China has taken a step forward to allow same-sex marriage, a move that could undo years of discrimination, delight rights activists and give new rights to the LGBTQ community “after years of hiding and struggling.” A body of the National People’s Congress, the country’s highest law-making institution, has publicly acknowledged petitions to legalize same-sex marriage, a rare development that has triggered a nationwide discussion of a topic that was once taboo. Expectations are raised that the nation, which is led by the Communist Party, might eventually join the growing number of countries that have passed legislation protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. “We were very happy, pleasantly surprised by the news!” declared Peng Yanzi, director of LGBT Rights Advocacy China.