The White House stands illuminated in rainbow light last Friday after the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal across the country. Photo: CFP

The phrase "Love wins" and a lot of rainbows were probably what many people in China read and retweeted over the weekend following the US Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex marriage was a legal right across the US. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) communities around the world waved a sea of rainbow flags to welcome the decision.US President Barack Obama said the ruling was a "victory for America." "When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free," he said.

The ruling means that the 14 US states that banned same-sex marriage will no longer be able to enforce the bans. Although some of these states, including Michigan, Ohio and Georgia, have said they will abide by the decision others like Louisiana and Texas have expressed anger.

The Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, described the decision by the Supreme Court as an attack on the religious rights of conservative Christians. And the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, vowed to defend the religious liberties of those who believed marriage was between "one man and one woman."

The decision in the US quickly became viral for the LGBT community in China, only a few days after Taiwanese writer and television presenter Kevin Tsai asked the public not to view people like him as monsters. As a public figure Tsai "came out" 14 years ago and said he had experienced great pressure.

Unlike the US where most of the opposition to same-sex marriage comes from conservative Christians, Li Yinhe, a sociologist from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in China the resistance comes from social discrimination and problems in getting the LGBT community heard by the general public.

"Let's say this community accounts for 4 percent of the entire population, which might be a bit conservative, but they are a small minority. As long as it's an affair that involves only the interests of a minority of people, it can never be officially put on the agenda. That's why I say the mechanism to make the opinions of these very few people heard needs to be improved," Li told the Phoenix New Media.

A survey of 7,400 people in China in 2013 revealed that 64 percent of the participants believed that being gay was a personal thing and others should not pass judgment on this. However 24 percent believed homosexuality was against nature and was immoral and 10 percent felt it was an illness.

This was progress, however, on a 2007 survey conducted by Professor Li, which had nearly 38 percent of those surveyed believing homosexuality was completely wrong and 32 percent saying it was improper behavior.

When it comes to considering homosexuality and their own children, participants were much more conservative with just 26 percent of the 2013 survey saying they would support and show respect to their children if they were gay. Another 20 percent said they would try anything possible to "fix" their children if they were gay.

The Global Times talked to people involved in the Shanghai LGBT community about the Supreme Court ruling and what it might mean in the future.

A woman celebrates the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Photo: CFP

Andrew Jordan Shainker, founder, Open Doors Shanghai (a social activity group for the LGBT community)

I am very grateful for the Supreme Court's decision. I've come out to a lot of people since I came out to myself nine years ago. My autobiographical memory being what it is, I can't remember exactly what any of those people said in return to me, with one exception.

My mom, after assuring me that it was fine, of course, confessed that she was scared, because "my life was going to be a lot harder than other people's" and she wouldn't wish that on anyone, much less her own son. Years later, she apologized for saying that, but I don't think she should have; I had the exact same fear, as do most gay/lesbian/trans people once they realize who they are.

Today marks a glorious step toward erasing that fear, and I look forward to a future where it's erased completely. That's the best way I can think of to define equality - freedom from fear.

I believe that the US government has got us half way there. It is now up to gay men and women to put in the work. This work begins when gay men and women attempt to feel comfortable in their own skin, to not feel afraid to be who they are, to not feel shame and guilt over their sexuality and to heal the traumas of their past wounds and look forward to a bright future. The government can only get us half way there. We also need to do the work.

Piao Chunmei, Shanghai-based activity organizer for PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays) China

I think it's a great boost to the entire LGBT community worldwide. I was traveling in Istanbul with my son when we learned about the news. Suddenly I found my WeChat friends had all changed their images into rainbow colors.

I'm sure the change in the US will also greatly advance things in our country. I told my son that in the near future this would also happen in China. Just check out the newspapers and news websites, "same-sex marriage legal across the US" hit the headlines everywhere.

I have been contacted by many young people and parents who have accepted their children being gay in the past few days. They've expressed their excitement over the news. But right before this ruling was made in the US, I also talked to parents who felt helpless and depressed that their sons were gay and they sought my assistance.

This news, though it happened in the US, can help parents better understand the LGBT group. And I guess it's great timing that young people could come out of the closet now. In fact, our society in general has been treating the LGBT community with growing tolerance and understanding in recent years.

Geng Le, founder and CEO of Danlan.org and Blued in China

What the LGBT community has achieved in the US was a result of their efforts in the past 40-plus years. The Stonewall Riots in 1969 were a landmark incident in the history of the US LGBT defending their rights. It triggered a series of activities.

Although it has now been ruled that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the US, it's still a long way to go for the LGBT community to obtain equal recognition in an all-round way in society. The meaning of the ruling is that the LGBT community in the US has won recognition from their nation that they now have the freedom to marry because of love.

I've noticed that Chinese media and enterprises have reacted very positively to the legalization of same-sex marriage across the US. The progress achieved in the US has played an active demonstrative and educational role in the global understanding of the LGBT community, including China's awareness of this group.

I believe the ruling in the US will play a stimulating role in advancing the legalization of same-sex marriage in China. At least, the issue has significantly increased the public and media attention to LGBT topics. More and more enterprises, media, celebrities and friendly members of the public will show support to LGBT people.

In 10 years, I believe China is very likely to make some progress in the legalization of same-sex marriage, like issuing anti-discrimination laws or legalizing same-sex partnerships or even marriage.

Yolanda Zhao, multinational company employee

Marriage is not just about reproduction or about how to raise a child. It's unfair to use this excuse to deprive the LGBT of the right to get married. This community accounts for just around 4 percent of the entire population. I can't see how this small percentage of people not propagating will affect the country's population growth.

More importantly, I see marriage as a way to ensure a better social guarantee for an individual. Our laws definitely need to improve to increase protection for same-sex couples.

Cheng Lina, a former judge

I happen to be studying whether legally married same-sex couples in the US can undertake banking business in China - whether a spouse is entitled to do so under Chinese law. Unfortunately the answer is no. That marital status is not recognized here.

I believe that these people are born with this orientation and why should the public or society have to place obstacles in their lives? It's just like some people are born left-handed - some parents make every effort to change their children to being right-handed? I don't see the point.

Even though it might be hard to accept that one day I could find my own son is gay, I don't believe forcing him to marry a woman would make him happy. The inner feelings of a man are the hardest to control and predict. Just let things be what they are.

Steven Bielinski, founder, WorkForLGBT

When I was 16, 15 years ago, I came out. At that time, same-sex marriage was only a dream, and not available anywhere on the planet.

Nearly 400 major American companies signed an amicus brief months ago, urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of same-sex marriage. It argued creating consistency across the US would simplify employment and allow businesses to treat all employees equally.

For LGBT Chinese, the news was an equally exhilarating reminder that "love wins." Most importantly, here in China, both Chinese and Western companies spoke up for LGBT inclusion and equality like never before!

LinkedIn, Amazon and other international brands posted lengthy articles to social media in support of the marriage ruling, while nearly two dozen major Chinese brands for the first time changed their logos and branding messages in support of this historic decision - the brands included Taobao, Haier, Xiaomi, Baidu, Tmall,

Youku, Lenovo, Meituan, DangDang, and Didi Taxi App.

From Didi Dache's taxi app turning all map cars rainbow colored, to Xiaomi's message that "love conquers all," Chinese companies from Tmall to Baidu Nuomi came out with rainbow versions of their corporate logos to show support for the LGBT community.

As a nonprofit business network for gay and lesbian employees in China and a platform for dialogue and cooperation with companies on LGBT corporate equality issues, WorkForLGBT is excited by the growing mainstream awareness around the business case for LGBT equality.

Both internal HR programs and policies that help attract and retain the best talent by ensuring equality for LGBT employees, and external advertising and communications that include LGBT voices is essential.

LGBT people in China are both employees and customers, our family and friends. And when companies work for LGBT by creating truly inclusive workplaces, they'll find not just success, but lasting brand loyalty and friendship from the LGBT community.

As DangDang urged its LGBT customers, we should "dare to love." Friday might be the start to a lasting, loving relationship between the Chinese business and LGBT communities. But gays and lesbians in China are only going to say "I do" to businesses who demonstrate how their corporate policies and values allow LGBT employees & consumers to live and love honestly.