December 1, 2009 | Sex & Society

Chinese open gay bar to fight HIV

The Chinese city of Dali's local health department has opened a gay bar in an effort to battle the spread of HIV. Dali currently boasts one of the nation's highest AIDS rates and made the controversial move to get word out about safer sex.

"Some readers think that it's a waste of taxpayer money, or an indirect endorsement of homosexual behavior," the 'Beijing News' said in an editorial. "They think if there were another way to reach out to the gay community, it wouldn't be necessary to open a bar."

Founder Zhang Jianbo disagrees. He sees the bar as a safer place for homosexuals to meet than the patch of woods near the city where gay men cruise. And men from more rural villages can benefit from up-to-date information on safer sex practices and other STIs. Free condoms are also available.

"Each year, the Dali city government spends 20,000 yuan [$2,929] on treatment drugs for AIDS. So if our bar succeeds in reducing transmission, our 120,000 yuan will be well-spent," Jiang Anmin, the city's deputy director of health, said.

How wonderfully progressive.

Chinese City Government Opens Gay Bar [The Advocate]