Changsha Youth "Flash Mob" Promotes AIDS Prevention, Controversy Erupts Over Use of Inflatable Dolls as Props
Changsha - On December 1, the 24th "World AIDS Day," a group of young men in red pajamas gathered in the Huangxing Pedestrian Street in Changsha to promote AIDS prevention. However, their methods, which included carrying inflatable dolls and performing various poses, left many onlookers shocked and uncomfortable.
At 11:30 AM, about ten young men dressed in red pajamas appeared in the Huangxing Square. They held inflatable dolls, walking while making gestures. Despite the cold weather, they attracted a large crowd of spectators, some of whom took out their phones and cameras to capture the scene.
A few minutes later, the group quickly moved to the Huangxing Statue area. They lined up, played music, and were just about to start dancing when security guards intervened, citing violations of public order. One guard waved his hand and exclaimed, "This is too vulgar!"
Some older onlookers shook their heads disapprovingly, saying, "This is really inappropriate! Running around with undressed models, what's the point?"
The group then crossed the street to Renmin Road, shouting slogans such as "I want sexual health, refuse AIDS." They posed in front of a bar and later danced on a pedestrian overpass with the inflatable dolls in hand. After finishing their dance, they quickly dispersed into the crowd and disappeared.
Mr. Li from Guocheng Adult Health Products Co., Ltd., one of the organizers, explained that this was a self-organized "flash mob" event aimed at promoting sexual health and preventing AIDS. Participants were recruited online. According to Mr. Li, this was the first flash mob event in Changsha with this theme.
He stated that while sex culture festivals have become popular, they often fail to address the root issues. Sexual health is indeed a serious topic. The rapid increase in HIV infections through sexual transmission highlights the urgent need to address the sexual needs of single migrant workers and the rising divorce rates caused by marital sexual dissatisfaction. These problems significantly impact family happiness and social harmony. Therefore, the flash mob calls for healthy sexual practices, reflecting current trends and aligning with public opinion.
While some found the use of inflatable dolls amusing and effective in raising awareness, others felt it inappropriate. A young passerby, Mr. Zhang, thought the method was acceptable: "It’s interesting, creative, and leaves a deep impression." On the other hand, Ms. Liu expressed concern: "Carrying explicit female dolls around can have a negative influence, especially on children."
According to statistics from China's Ministry of Health, in 2011, 63.9% of existing HIV/AIDS cases were transmitted sexually, with same-sex transmission increasing to 17.4%. Notably, there has been an increase in reported cases among individuals aged 50 and above, as well as students, accounting for 81.6% and 29.4%, respectively, in new infections that year.
By Feng Jun and Zhang Wei