My Life Is Too Dark To See the Light | Page 30

Discrimination Transgender individuals can face discrimination in every aspect of their life. Fear of further abuse or punitive action by friends, family, employers or other individuals they have daily interactions with, also prevents many from reporting the discrimination even when it would be considered illegal under Chinese domestic law, for example under the Employment Promotion Law which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of gender.86 A recent report on violence against lesbian, bisexual women and trans people in Asia by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, noted that “discrimination against transgender individuals is also not always only or solely motivated by gender identity, but can also be a rejection of other identity markers, in this instance most often by the profession of sex work. Many transgender individuals also strongly need the reasons for the discrimination to be kept private, less exposure, including reporting to the police, should increase their vulnerability to further discrimination or abuse.” 87 “Fear of further abuse or punitive action by friends, family, employers or other individuals they have daily interactions with, also prevents many from reporting the discrimination Many of the women we spoke to described a broad spectrum of verbal abuse, ostracization and outright discrimination. The impact differed even when it would be considered illegal under Chinese domestic law.” depending on the individual, but overall the trend was to further isolation, limited options for employment, education and social activity and a general reluctance to engage in public life. Xiao Dongbei in Beijing told us, “I went out singing with some friends, and while we were checking our bags, two young girls said loudly, ‘Look, a transvestite!’ Everyone turned and looked at me like I was some kind of freak. I couldn’t take it.”88Yang Zhou, from Dalian, has breast implants. She says that whenever she goes out, people notice her, so she has “never taken a bus or the subway. I’m afraid.”89 Tiantian usually wears women’s clothing at home, but chooses male attire