Hooliganism was removed as a crime in 1997. Previously, homosexuals could be punished according to the law covering the "crime".

The Ministry of Public Security acknowledged Chinese citizens' rights to choose their genders in 2000, when it responded to an application for a new identity card from a male-to-female transgender individual.

Homosexuality was removed from the list of mental disorders in 2001.

Since 2003, prominent sexologist and activist Li Yinhe has been proposing same-sex marriage legislation at the annual two sessions, the top political meetings in China. Same-sex marriage is not legal in China.

In 2004, the State Council established its HIV/AIDS working committee. That year, the ministry released figures about the country's male homosexuals for the first time. It estimated homosexuals accounted for 0.9 percent of males ages 15 to 55.

Shanghai's Fudan University started an undergraduate homosexuality studies course in 2005.

The mainland's first gay pride season in 2009 featured art shows, film screenings, sports events, panel discussions and parties that attracted about 3,000 people a week from across the country.

The Chinese LGBT community has rapidly expanded, leading to gay rights campaigns, HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, film festivals and pride parades.

LGBT films are not allowed to be released in mainland theaters. But they are screened at various LGBT activities, such as film festivals and exhibitions.

Li Yinhe suggested in 2012 that 3 to 4 percent of the country's population is homosexual.