When an actor reaches a certain level of fame, every action he takes becomes a topic of public discussion in various ways. Their behaviour is often attributed to deeper societal meanings, leading to elevated conversations about them.
From his perspective, he is simply doing what they can.
Despite vague insinuations from We-media trying to steer public opinion towards portraying the celebrity as arrogant or overly influenced by foreign cultures, the attempts failed to ignite interest.
The reason why Zhong Shao declined further interviews about WAT is straightforward - one substantial interview was deemed sufficient. For him, accepting an invitation to be filmed by the UN was a natural progression while agreeing to an interview with "Confession" was a deliberate choice, setting the stage for an upcoming endeavour.
By mid-November, as chilly winds blew, the fervour surrounding the celebrity, undiminished, continued to rise.
On November 30th at midnight, the official social media account of WAT updated its status.
@WAT OfficialV: #WorldAIDSDay##NoOneLeftBehind##PublicHealthandHIV Infection# "To achieve universal health coverage, people should not be denied HIV services regardless of who they are or where they live. To end AIDS, we must prevent new infections among children, ensure children receive treatment promptly, eliminate structural barriers in every country, and combat stigma and discrimination against key populations. - Meg Doherty, Director of HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at the World Health Organization."
The attachment below provides a comprehensive "Public Health and HIV Infection Investigation Research Report." This research report not only explains the HIV virus and AIDS, but also reveals several important facts. Firstly, the HIV virus remains a significant global public health issue, continuously spreading in all countries worldwide, having claimed the lives of 40.1 million people to date. In some countries, there has been a rising trend in new infection reports compared to previous declines. Secondly, as of now, it is predicted that there are over 1.6 million HIV-infected patients in China. Thirdly, there is still no cure for HIV infection, but it has become a manageable chronic health condition, with a focus on a "people-centred" approach being the core framework of global HIV/AIDS strategies. The population receiving effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care measures continues to grow, including measures against opportunistic infections.
The research report focused on the investigation of HIV infections among the adult population of City A in public toilets.
Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were categorised into homosexual and non-homosexual groups, with age divisions set at 10-year intervals up to 57 years and older. Given that HIV infection cases were only reported in City A between 1990 and 1999, the earliest infection in the sample occurred in 1995, while the latest case was confirmed within three months prior to the project implementation. The study utilised trend χ2 tests to compare HIV infection rates, incidence, mortality, and case fatality trends across different categories and stages, analysing the spectrum of HIV diseases during various periods.
Findings revealed a total of 15,256 HIV cases in City A over the past decade, with transmission and incidence rates surpassing national averages for similar urban areas. Factors contributing to the rise in sexually transmitted disease reports in City A include changing sexual behaviours, increased sensitivity in case reporting, and particularly concerning dual/multiple infections of HIV and syphilis among the male homosexual population. Individuals engaging in non-commercial heterosexual activities were identified as a broad and emerging high-risk group for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases compared to traditionally recognised high-risk groups. Moreover, concerning young students, the age of sexual debut, frequency of sexual activity, and condom usage were not promising.
Within the sample data, 8,097 cases of HIV infection were attributed to unsafe sexual practices, with 48 cases linked to transmission in gay bars' toilets and 12 cases in regular bars' toilets. Investigations revealed that gay bars provided condoms to patrons, while regular bars did not offer such protection. Furthermore, the report highlighted a significant reduction in HIV infections due to public toilet contamination since the initiation of the "Toilet Revolution," with no cases of HIV infection specifically linked to public health hazards in the sample data.
The study discussed in the report further explores and inquiries into whether individuals infected with HIV, regardless of sexual orientation, must bear all the discrimination and stigma associated with the disease. It also sheds light on the HIV infection situation among youth in City A, revealing significant space for improvement in HIV prevention and health education for young people in China. The study emphasises the urgent need for more comprehensive and diversified approaches to HIV prevention education.
Based on these findings, the research report concludes that one of the major risks associated with the lack of comprehensive education among the public is the root cause of stigmatisation of the disease.
For most HIV-infected individuals, the greatest suffering does not stem from the disease itself but from immense social pressures. These individuals, including professionals and those seeking to create personal and social value through their talents and abilities, often find it challenging to experience a sense of achievement in their careers due to the stigma and invasion of privacy associated with HIV infection, making it difficult for them to reintegrate into mainstream society.
The survey of project samples reveals that one-third of patients have not disclosed their disease to immediate family members, with half of the remaining two-thirds willing to participate in project interviews. The interviews show that some family members have extensively educated themselves on the disease post their loved one's HIV diagnosis, following doctors' treatment plans. While some adhered to HIV prevention guidelines in their daily lives without significant changes, others expressed significant trauma caused by HIV in their lives and psyche. When faced with questions about how long the patient can live, their concern is not about drug resistance or treatment options but about the cost of treatment. In response to the "fear of AIDS," most family members stated that understanding the disease dispelled the perceived fear, revealing it to be less frightening than imagined.
Combining the discussions held by project specialists with researchers from the disease control centre on the topic of "fear of AIDS" and the global call to action by the UN on "fighting AIDS," the research project demonstrates that educating about HIV/AIDS is essential in dispelling the fears of those stigmatising the disease, reducing patients' anxiety and uncertainties, and combating societal discrimination. While patients and cases may not disappear, outdated stereotypes can be dismantled.
This research began with the "Third Toilet Assault Incident." It was not just Zhong Shao's idea, but a shared direction with Yu Cheng, and even WAT.
In any possible event, groups that have been labelled are stigmatised and prejudiced. Are they existing to accept these biases? No, their existence is because our society values inclusivity and diversity, appreciates various gender aesthetics, accepts different expressions, and respects every sexual identity.
The unisex toilet and public health, gender dysphoria and HIV infection speaking out is defending the rightful interests with the strength of unity, revealing the truth behind prejudices and stigmas to the public.
Not one was left behind.
Standing together, not one less.
Eliminating stigma and prejudice, standing equally among the crowd, not one left behind.
With the UN's theme of "Equality" for this year's World AIDS Day, the UN vows to maintain the visibility of HIV amid ongoing economic, social, cultural, and legal inequalities caused by pandemics and other global crises, and eliminate the threat of HIV to public health. Ensuring equal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care for everyone everywhere in terms of basic services like testing and treatment, implementing a "zero tolerance" policy towards stigmatisation and discrimination. Globally, ending AIDS by expanding HIV services in every country, eliminating structural barriers, and stigmatisation and discrimination of populations is crucial.
This is also one of WAT's goals.
Zhong Shao shared WAT's post and commented: "The seventeen Sustainable Development Goals are all based on a fundamental principle: not leaving anyone behind. If we want to achieve this ideal, we must unite all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity." - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.