Beijing's first government-backed Internet forum for homosexuals
has slowly begun to take off despite initial reluctance by
authorities to give it too much publicity.
Fu Qingyuan, an official with the Center for Disease Prevention
and Control of Chaoyang District, said the center created the forum
two months ago but did not publicize it until Sunday because they
didn't want to cause unnecessary public debate.
The forum was created to promote HIV/AIDS prevention awareness
among China's homosexuals and offer professional assistance to the
group, Fu said.
It has two chatrooms: one for same-sex lovers to share their
emotions and experiences and the other for health advisors to offer
counseling and advice on HIV/AIDS.
However, Fu admitted the forum had failed to attract postings on
the notice board of www.cystd.com, the center's official website to
raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention, due to lack of
publicity.
Fu said the center was considering launching a moderate media
campaign to publicize the forum.
"We'll remain cautious because this is the first government-backed
forum in Beijing to openly discuss same-sex love and it's a highly
sensitive issue in China," Fu said.
After a report in yesterday's Beijing Times newspaper
the number of postings began to soar.
"I'm so exited to find this website today through media
reports," wrote an Internet user who gave his or her name as
"Sina Chen." "I hope the government will pay more attention to
same-sex lovers who are living at the edge of society."
Another Internet user named "Call for Love" said on the forum:
"We're as good, faithful, law-abiding and love our parents as much
as anyone else. Please do not discriminate against us or treat us
only as AIDS patients."
Alongside the forum the website also publishes domestic and
international developments on AIDS diagnosis and treatment.
"Homosexuality is an inevitable social issue we have to face,"
said Shi Wei, director of the center.
"Homosexuals are more vulnerable to AIDS and other venereal
diseases and therefore need extra care and help," Shi said.
(China Daily August 15, 2006)