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