Despite progress in improving attitudes toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, intolerance is still an issue, said Xiao Tie, director of the Beijing LGBT center.

As an open bisexual, she said that like many others in the community she's under huge pressure from family and society, and the issue of sex remains largely "stigmatized."

"China's first LGBT report issued recently by the United Nations Development Programme might be a high-profile positive start to help build a more tolerant and respectful living environment for the communities here," she said.