In China, being transgender is still classified as a
mental illness. The Chinese Classification of Mental
Disorders, 3rd Edition (CCMD-3), includes the
following entry under “sexual disorders”: “Sustained
and intense discomfort with being female and desire
to be male” and “Sustained and intense discomfort
with being male and desire to be female.” There
is also “sexual orientation disorders,” referring to
uncertainty toward one’s gender identity or sexual
“Research specifically
on the situation of
transgender men
and women in China
is comparatively
scarce. Most available
information comes from
small studies and reports
by CBOs...”
orientation.45
A 2014 submission to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women by the China LBT (lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women) Rights
Initiative raised concerns about treatment of lesbian, bisexual and transgender
women in the country. Key issues include domestic violence; discrimination in the
workplace; discrimination in health care settings, difficulties in amending gender
information on academic records for transgender individuals who have undergone
SRS; and China’s position to not recognize same-sex marriages.46
Research specifically on the situation of transgender men and women in China is
comparatively scarce. Most available information comes from small studies and
reports by CBOs, but they do provide us with a glimpse of the living conditions of this
marginalized population.
In 2008, The Beijing Aizhixing Institute carried out a quantitative and qualitative survey
of 50 transgender women in Beijing. The survey targeted transgender women who
were mainly engaged in sex work on the streets and who worked in cross-dressing
performance. Their work places were mainly public parks, hotels and the homes of
their clients. They mostly engaged in oral or anal sex with clients, with average earnings
of less than 2,000 yuan (USD 325) per month. More than half of the interviewees
had come into contact with the police during the course of their work, with most
interviewed reporting physical and verbal abuse from police officers during arrest,
as well as forced confessions. The survey found that 80 percent of the interviewees
45 Chinese Medical Association Psychiatric Chapter (ed.). Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders, 3rd Edition. Shandong kexue jishu chubanshe
(Shandong Scientific and Technical Publishing). 2001.
46 China LBT Rights Initiative. “Information Submitted by the China LBT Rights Initiative to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women. List of Issues related to the Combined Seventh and Eighth Periodic Report of the Republic of China. Pre-Sessional Working Group Meeting
of the Committee’s 59th Session.” February 20, 2014. http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/CHN/INT_CEDAW_NGO_
CHN_16577_E.pdf (accessed December 19, 2014).
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