CITY GUIDE >City Special
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CITY GUIDE >City Special
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Body of lies
By Lin Shujuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-12 15:12 He has even drafted fake work contracts with clauses forbidding employees to marry for a certain period of time after they're hired for the men to show their families. "Hepatitis B is sometimes also an effective excuse for gay men or those living with HIV/AIDS," Xiao says. "People won't push you into marriage if you are infected with hepatitis B, and, because it's a disease, family and friends will be sympathetic. "But they might be ashamed of you if you tell them you're gay or that you have HIV/AIDS." Zhang Ke, a doctor from the Beijing-based You'an Hospital who has worked for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention for more than a decade, says: "It's not uncommon to find a person who is both gay and living with HIV/AIDS. "From my experience as a doctor, I would say this demographic is most eager for a HIV/AIDS cure." But even if a cure was found, it wouldn't be the end of the troubles people like Wang face, Zhang says. "This isn't only a medical issue but also one of social tolerance. It'll take longer to develop a cure for the stigma than it will for the virus." Xiao, who is also gay, agrees. "Honestly, all the suggestions I've given people like Wang are just compromises and temporary solutions," he says. "We hate to lie, but we have no choice." Although the government is showing greater tolerance for homosexuality, "that's by no means the ultimate goal. We hope we can get more attention from both from the government and the public but not just because we are at high risk for HIV/AIDS," he says. "I hope one day, I can happily hang out hand in hand with my boyfriend and receive greetings from passersby. "I wish all people, including gay men, could live healthy lives in a tolerant and harmonious society. This is my dream." On the night Wang arrived home, his parents pressured him to accept the arranged marriage. He sent a mobile phone message saying: "What am I going to do?" On the third night, he sent another message: "I told my parents I had a girlfriend back in Beijing and would like to call off the marriage they arranged for me. "They aren't so worried anymore. "I don't want to think much about the future; I'm grateful as long as I can deal with the present."
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