The first government-backed bar in China for gay men has opened after its originally scheduled date of World AIDS Day, China Daily reports.  

According to the article, the opening was delayed to protect the privacy of the bar staff. The bar is intended to provide a platform for HIV/AIDS education and prevention.   

“Gay men sometimes cannot find a proper place to exchange thoughts with others. Here in the bar, they can relieve their psychological pressure and educate each other about AIDS knowledge, which can help prevent the spread of AIDS,” said Xiao Tao, the bar’s manager.  

In China, sexual transmission accounted for more than 70 percent of all new HIV cases and 32 percent of new HIV cases among gay men, said health minister Chen Zhu.