CHINA: COMMENTARY: AIDS, Homosexuals and Human Destiny
By Angie Zhang
The homosexuality phenomenon is commonplace both in the West and the East nowadays. As a basic mold, homosexuality has been a part of human behavior in every culture in every phase of history, from a highly-developed industrial society to a barbaric, primitive community. For quite a long time people in China shut their eyes to homosexuality, and homosexuals were reluctant to make themselves known to the public. It would seem that we are beyond this issue, when in fact it is not the case. Yet all human destinies are closely bound by the threat of AIDS.
The indifference or even disrespect we show towards homosexuals doesn't protect us from being infected with AIDS. With the knowledge that the gay group ranks top among the most easily infected groups, our first mission is to find a feasible and effective way to decrease their chances of getting AIDS.
While in some Western countries there are same-sex marriage dreams, and the legal status demanded by gays and lesbians are partly realized, China still has no intention of putting those matters onto the daily agenda. Luckily, homosexual behavior among adults is not banned specifically by law here as long as minors are not involved. If one side is found to be a minor, his partner will be charged with sodomy.
People would rather define homosexuals as abnormal groups morally than biologically, which makes them ashamed, reserved and depressed for we are imposing our ideal sex-inclination on them. The fact is we are not ready to give homosexuals sufficient care and empathy, instead we show disagreement even hatred towards them just because we are heterosexual and they are homosexual.
According to surveys, many homosexuals rejected taking the AIDS test for various reasons, some of which are quite condemning of us heterosexuals. Many feared being put into jail and suffering inhumane treatment when their homosexual identities were exposed. Though not wholly true, we know it is not wholly off base either. Homosexuals long for acceptance as full members of society but find it is merely an illusion. In fact, we have no right to cast them out from the community.
However, the more-afraid-of-going-to-a-doctor-than-being-infected attitude that the majority of gays in China hold is a potential menace to society. With this regard, we should add more understanding, tolerance and respect to the gay groups. Faced with such a thorny issue, we have no other choice but to give gay groups more caring and feeling and rights to enjoy life. It's high time we took their social status into consideration for the sake of harmonious development of the whole of mankind.
The homosexuality phenomenon is commonplace both in the West and the East nowadays. As a basic mold, homosexuality has been a part of human behavior in every culture in every phase of history, from a highly-developed industrial society to a barbaric, primitive community. For quite a long time people in China shut their eyes to homosexuality, and homosexuals were reluctant to make themselves known to the public. It would seem that we are beyond this issue, when in fact it is not the case. Yet all human destinies are closely bound by the threat of AIDS.
The indifference or even disrespect we show towards homosexuals doesn't protect us from being infected with AIDS. With the knowledge that the gay group ranks top among the most easily infected groups, our first mission is to find a feasible and effective way to decrease their chances of getting AIDS.
While in some Western countries there are same-sex marriage dreams, and the legal status demanded by gays and lesbians are partly realized, China still has no intention of putting those matters onto the daily agenda. Luckily, homosexual behavior among adults is not banned specifically by law here as long as minors are not involved. If one side is found to be a minor, his partner will be charged with sodomy.
People would rather define homosexuals as abnormal groups morally than biologically, which makes them ashamed, reserved and depressed for we are imposing our ideal sex-inclination on them. The fact is we are not ready to give homosexuals sufficient care and empathy, instead we show disagreement even hatred towards them just because we are heterosexual and they are homosexual.
According to surveys, many homosexuals rejected taking the AIDS test for various reasons, some of which are quite condemning of us heterosexuals. Many feared being put into jail and suffering inhumane treatment when their homosexual identities were exposed. Though not wholly true, we know it is not wholly off base either. Homosexuals long for acceptance as full members of society but find it is merely an illusion. In fact, we have no right to cast them out from the community.
However, the more-afraid-of-going-to-a-doctor-than-being-infected attitude that the majority of gays in China hold is a potential menace to society. With this regard, we should add more understanding, tolerance and respect to the gay groups. Faced with such a thorny issue, we have no other choice but to give gay groups more caring and feeling and rights to enjoy life. It's high time we took their social status into consideration for the sake of harmonious development of the whole of mankind.
1 Comments:
At 9:20 AM , richard said...
Great post, thanks!
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