Transsexual detained in Shenzhen for demonstration

Just in from a submission to Youku: Two days ago, a pre-op transsexual went on a one-(wo)man demonstration on the streets of Shenzhen, holding a placard that says, "I want a sex change, even if it means death!" (我要变性!死了都要变!) She attracted a huge crowd around her before she was eventually led away by someone from the public security bureau it seems.

Despite increasing openness, transsexuals have not had it easy in China. If this report dated this time last year is anything to go by, only about 1,000 transsexuals have undergone the operation, and that's just a tiny fraction of the 400,000 transsexuals that experts estimate China has. As many as 90 percent of them commit suicide when their appeal to have a sex change is turned down.

Sex change first received media spotlight in 1995 when dance choreographer Jin Xing underwent sex change to become a woman. She was an army colonel dancing with the People's Liberation Army dance troupe. Now arguably the most celebrated face of Chinese modern dance, Jin is now enjoying her life as a woman, married to a German man and has three adopted children.

Comments (3) [rss]

I guess that's one more strange sight I've missed out on here in Shenzhen. I'm probably better off that way.

"a pre-op transsexual went on a one-(wo)man demonstration"

surely "one person" is suffice

Interesting. We just did a story about transsexuals for the Chinese edition of Newsweek to pair with a translated story that the American Newsweek recently published. You can see the translated version of the local story we did at www.meganshank.com under "Rethinking Gender" if you are interested in the topic. Cheers.

Post a comment (Comment Policy)

Personals

Enter our FREE personals site!

Tips

About Shanghaiist

Shanghaiist is a website about Shanghai, China.

Editor: Elaine Chow
Managing Editor: Dan Washburn
Publisher: Gothamist

About | Advertising | Archives | Arts/Entertainment | Calendar | Contact | Contribute | Facebook | Favorites | Feedburner | Food/Drink | Jobs | Mobile | News | Other | Personals | Popular | RSS | Staff | Top Users | Twitter | Write For Us


Shanghaiist Direct

Too busy to check the site? Receive a daily email with links to all Shanghaiist posts from the previous 24 hours.

Enter your email


Recent Comments

Latest Video

Contribute

Latest Photo:

Subscribe

Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Shanghaiist.

All Our RSS