Ethnographies of Prostitution in Contemporary China: Gender relations, HIV/AIDS, and Nationalism.
Below is the excerpt I had in mind in class last week, on gay men’s condom use as an act of resistance. It is from the introduction to Tiantian Zheng’s “Ethnographies of Prostitution in Contemporary China: Gender relations, HIV/AIDS, and Nationalism.”
“Many men regarded rejection of condoms as a political act of defiance…They resented
the state’s attempts to regulate their pursuit of sexual pleasure and expressed hostility at
mention of HIV/AIDS and condoms. To them, these are the state’s tools and weapons to
control and police their sexuality. AIDS and condoms represent exactly what they rebel
against—control and regulation of their sexual pleasure. Warnings about AIDS and
condom use shackle their sexual pursuits and thwart their absolute enjoyment of sex, free
of any moral constraints. They reject mainstream morality and celebrate sexual freedom
by rejecting the state’s constraints.” (Zheng, p. 8)
Contributed by ShaylaSchlossenberg on 27/01/2020
