Sexual revolution memorabilia

1. Year 1979

The Popular Cinema magazine published a photo of a kissing scene from a British movie The Slippers and the Rose on its back cover. It was the first kissing photo published in China following the start of reform and opening up.

2. Year 1982

The Rose Tattoo, published by Yanbian People's Publishing House was banned because it contained "large amounts of obscene depictions." More than 30 categories of books were ruled as obscene publications, six publishing houses were ordered to suspend operations for rectification.

3. Year 1988

Ge Pengren, a young teacher of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, organized a Nude Art Painting Exhibition. The book On Nude Art written by Chen Zui was the bestseller of the year.

4. Year 1990

A textbook entitled Puberty was published. All middle schools launched sex education.

5. Year 1991

The Chinese government made its first judicial ruling on gay issues and noted that it was not appropriate to rule such case as crime of indecent assault or impose a public security penalty.

6. Year 2003

A proposal on same-sex marriage was submitted to the National People's Congress, China's top legislature body.

7. Year 2008

Zhejiang University's no sex before marriage course fueled a debate on sex education around the nation.

(China.org.cn by Yan Pei, December 19, 2008)