GAY COUPLE MARRY IN BEIJING

Two gay men have gotten married in a public ceremony in Beijing to, in part, highlight the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Da Wen and Xiao Qiang’s commitment ceremony was described by ShanghaiDaily.com as “a union aimed not only at the joining of two people in love but also a bid to strengthen the fight against AIDS”.

The ceremony, which is not recognised under Chinese law, was attended by the men’s friends from the gay community.

“Each attempt to fight the spread of AIDS is worth trying, including getting married,” said Xiao Dong, director of a Beijing AIDS prevention voluntary team, in an interview with Beijing Times.

He explained that the legalisation of same-sex marriage could help cement relationships and instil a culture of monogamy in the gay community.