Homosexual transmission is another probable HIV vector in China, with the number of gay men currently estimated at between 5% and 7% of the total male population (18) . Men who have sex with men probably represent a group of between 2 and 8 million people (19) . A survey of Chinese college students in the 1990s suggested that up to 8% may have homosexual tendencies (2) . Interestingly, around 80% of gay Chinese men are currently married (6) . Approximately 2% of married Chinese in rural areas engage in homosexual activities, a higher rate than for urban areas (4). Although homosexuality was removed from the official list of mental disorders in 2001, it remains illegal and highly stigmatized throughout Chinese society (1) . The problem may worsen in future years if China's homosexual remains highly marginalised. In the year 2000 for example, gay men comprised one-third of all AIDS patients in two dedicated AIDS care hospitals in Beijing (6) .