A court in Beijing ordered a private psychological counseling center to apologize and pay compensation to a 30-year-old homosexual man for providing him with treatment it characterized as a cure for his sexual preference.

It was the first known lawsuit of its kind in China and has attracted widespread attention in recent months.

"I am very glad about the outcome," Xiao Zhen, the plaintiff, said. "The court said the counseling center was involved in swindling by offering treatment because homosexuality is not considered a mental disease in China."