Legalizing same-sex marriage may help curb HIV, say experts

NEW DELHI - Legal recognition to same-sex marriage may help curbing HIV/AIDS, say experts.

Although the rate of HIV infection is 0.05 percent in China, gay men have been the hardest hit by the sexually transmitted disease, experts warned ahead of this year’s World AIDS Day.

According to experts, in some cities, nearly one out of five is HIV positive in the gay community, reports the China Daily.

“To legalize same-sex marriage could help stabilize and sustain gay relationships, thereby lowering the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS,” said Zhang Beichuan, of the Qingdao University.

Among the gay community, many back Beichuan’s view on legalizing same-sex marriage.

Two gay men, Zhang Zhen and Ying Zi (both aliases) demonstrated their support by holding a wedding ceremony attended by 300 guests, reports the Modern Express.

“Even though we did not have legal marriage documents, our civil wedding ceremony was blessed by so many friends that it will always remind us of our love and the responsibility of being loyal to each other,” said Zhang Zhen.

The lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage is partially responsible for members of the gay community having multiple sexual partners, which increases the risk of HIV infection, said Zhang Beichuan.

Despite the call to legalize same-sex marriages, more than 80 percent of homosexuals in China are already in heterosexual marriages, said Zhang Beichuan.

He added that gay men in these marriages place their wives at risk of infection. (ANI)