China's leading lesbian app Rela (热拉) shuts down. Its website and social media account have also been removed from the internet, following a viral incident at Shanghai's marriage market in People's Park in which a group of mothers of LGBT children were kicked out by police while trying to raise awareness for gay rights.
The mothers gatecrashed the weekly event where elderly parents search for a suitable partner for their single sons and daughters.
Rela was one of the groups that helped the expedition.
The moment also happened to be just after the gay community celebrated Taiwan's decision in giving same-sex couples the right to marry, the first in Asia. It also comes just as Beijing Kunlun Tech, a Chinese gaming company, has decided to acquire all of Grindr, the world's most popular LGBT dating app.
Rela was formerly known as "The L". It was founded in 2012 in Shanghai as a way to help lesbian women in China to connect with others, allowing them to part of the larger LGBT community.
Rela has its services to be more than just a social app. It had portal for movies, literature and other resources, ranging from event information on LGBTQ topics with contact details for overseas marriage services.
It had 5 million registered users. With the services shut down, existing users are no longer able to log into their accounts.
