1. To Be Transgender in China Melissa Johnson

2. Outline Background Terminology History Belief System Religion Culture Prevalence Popular Culture Politics Government Regulations of SRS Work with Chinese Transpersons Asian-American Experience Chinese-Americans

3. Terminology TRANSGENDER EXPERIENCE Kuaxing (跨性, pinyin kùaxìng) – (Mandarin) "to go beyond sex;” has recently come into use as a literal translation of the English term "transgender", but kuaxing is not in popular use outside of academia. Fanchuan (反串, fǎnchùan) – cross-dressed performing on stage, as in Beijing opera where males play women's parts, or in Taiwanese opera where females play men's parts. It can also mean dressing in drag, with many of the associations of that English word. Renyao人妖, pyrényāo). – “ladyboys” or other transsexual people who perform on stage. (This term is most specifically applied to Thai katoey and almost never to Chinese transgender people. The term can be broken down as "human monster"; and while some would argue that yao here means "enchanting", the word has both connotations. In combination with its application primarily to non-Chinese, and especially southeast Asian, transgender people, it is a very offensive term. Chinese transgender people themselves almost universally avoid the term, favoring less insulting descriptions.) Red Top Arts (紅頂藝人, pyHǒngdǐngYìrén) –A popular performing arts group of the 1990’s in Taipei, Taiwan and is known as the island's first professional drag troupe. Since this time, "Red Top" and various homophones (紅鼎，宏鼎, etc.) have come to be common combining-forms that indicates drag, crossdressing, etc. (2009, July 22). Transgender in China [Wikipedia]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_in_China

4. Terminology TRANSGENDER EXPERIENCE PyBìanxìngzhe (變性者) - The standard Chinese term for transsexual people is literally "one who changes sex". Bìanxìng變性 is therefore the most common way to say "change one's sex", though not necessarily through sexual reassignment surgery; it may also include hormonal changes and lifestyle changes. PyYìzhūangpǐ(異裝癖) – commonly used term that translates to "obsession with the opposite [sex’s] attire.” PyBànzhūang (扮裝) - "to put on attire;” is commonly used to mean cross-dressing. PyBànzhūangHúanghòu (扮裝皇后) - an auxiliary term for drag queens, or "cross-dressing queen.” PyDìsānxìngGōnggūan (第三性公關) – “third sex hostess" bars popular for a short period in the late 1990s in Taiwan. These bars were closely modeled on Japanese new half hostess bars, though perhaps less stately than their Japanese counterparts. Through this trend, "the third sex" has come to be used more frequently for a general marker of transgenderism INTERSEX EXPERIENCE PyHōngxìngrén (中性人) - "middle sex person;” may indicate androgyny rather than medical intersexuality. Pyīnyángrén (陰陽人) - "Yin-Yang person". (2009, July 22). Transgender in China [Wikipedia]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_in_China

5. History and Belief System The traditional philosophies and belief systems of China (e.g., Confucianism and Taoism) emphasize straight adherence to prescribed gender roles and male-female relationships in hierarchical social structures. These teachings include the complementarity between “Yin” (female) and “Yang” (male), as well as a continuation and expansion of the family through reproduction. Therefore, transgender behavior and same-sex relationships are considered inappropriate and counterproductive. Chung, Y. B. & Singh, A. A. (2009). Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender Asian Americans. In N. Tewari & A. N> Alvarez (ed.s). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group

6. History and Religion However, there is evidence of a long history of transgenderism in Buddhist China, as the transgender experience can be found in early religious Buddhist beliefs. A commonly known belief is that Guanyin, the boddhisattva of compassion,changed from being primarily male in Indian Buddhism (as Avalokitesvara) to being primarily female in China. Guanyin is believed to be able to change gender at will, but is primarily worshipped as female in China. Transgender in China – History of transgenderism in China [Online Encyclopedia]. http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Transgender_in_China_-_History_of_transgenderism_in_China/id/5540771

7. History and Culture The early Beijing operas employed only male actors. Men played both male and female roles. Cantonese operas in southern China are known to have actors and actresses play the roles of the opposite sex. Chung, Y. B. & Singh, A. A. (2009). Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender Asian Americans. In N. Tewari & A. N> Alvarez (ed.s). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group

8. Prevalence Estimates **Finding prevalence statistics from primary sources proved to be a difficult task. The following statistics were not cited, interpret with caution. As transgender studies began in Taiwan and statistics began to be published, it was noted that the island had a far larger occurrence of transmen (female-to-male) than of transwomen (male-to-female). This puts Taiwan in interesting contrast to the West, where the opposite is usually believed to be true. Fang Ronghuang, one of Taiwan's most famous sexual reassignment surgeons, published statistics stating that the prevalence of female-to-male transsexualism is at least five times greater than male-to-female. However, as with the Western case, many academics now believe that this is an error in reporting rather than a true difference in reality. Many believe that the actual ratio is about 1:1. (2009, July 22). Transgender in China [Wikipedia]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_in_China

9. Prevalence Estimates **Finding prevalence statistics from primary sources proved to be a difficult task. The following statistics were not cited, interpret with caution. According to official news agency Xinhua, there are an estimated 1,000 transsexuals in China. The English-language China Daily, however, cites experts who put the number of sex changes in China nearly 2,000 Chinese to date, with another 100,000 to 400,000 considering the surgery. (News Editor. (2009, June 18). China’s health ministry announces sex changesurgery guidelines [News Site]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/2009/06/18/8475.china-s-health-ministry-announces-sex-change-surgery-guidelines ) Government estimates that there are about 400,000 people in the transgender community. Over 1000 of them have had sex reassignemnt surgery. ( Roberts, Monica. (2009, Februrary 20). China’s transgender community [Blog]. Retrieved from http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/02/chinas-transgender-community.html )

11. She was poised to become the first transgender contestant in the 50 year history of the event. However, rules were quickly passed limiting the event to cisgenderwomen. Chen became barred from participating. Roberts, Monica. (2009, Februrary 20). China’s transgender community [Blog]. Retrieved fromhttp://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/02/chinas-transgender-community.html

12. Popular Culture The internationally acclaimed Chinese dancer, Jin Xing, opened the door for transgender persons in China. She publically transitioned and had sex reassignment surgery in 1995. Roberts, Monica. (2009, Februrary 20). China’s transgender community [Blog]. Retrieved fromhttp://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/02/chinas-transgender-community.html

14. Such operations typically cost between 100,000 and150,000 yuan (US$14,632 to US$21,947).

15. On June 16, 2009, China's Ministry of Health unveiled a set of regulations entitled "Technical Management Standards of Transsexual Operations" in order to solicit feedback from the public.

16. Politics in this arena suggest that the “gender-alteration business” is in need of government regulation.

17. Previously, before government standards or regulations, some technically inadequate hospitals were looking to penetrate the market. Dr. Gu added "But now the new regulations will disqualify these institutions."China Daily. (2009, June 17). China to regulate transsexual operations [News]. Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/government/central_government/2009-06/17/content_17962258.htm

19. Every such hospital shall set up a technical and ethics committee consisting of experts in physiology, law, and ethics, which will be responsible for analyzing potential operations and giving the go-ahead.

20. Qualified doctors must hold professional licenses.

21. Surgeons must have more than ten years experience in plastic surgery, including more than five years in transsexual operations.

22. Surgeons should have independently completed a minimum of ten cases of sexual organ reconstruction before performing a full-scale operation.China Daily. (2009, June 17). China to regulate transsexual operations [News]. Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/government/central_government/2009-06/17/content_17962258.htm

24. They should not have any criminal record.

25. They must make the necessary arrangements with local public security authorities to change their gender in their ID after the operation is completed.

26. They are required to prove a consistent desire for a sex change.

27. They are required to have lived full-time for at least five consecutive years in the new gender role.

28. They are required to engage in psychological therapy for at least one year.China Daily. (2009, June 17). China to regulate transsexual operations [News]. Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/government/central_government/2009-06/17/content_17962258.htm

29. Working with Chinese Transpersons:Asian-Americans Attributes The experience of LGBT Asian Americans is influenced by their statuses as racial minorities and sexual minorities, as well as the interaction between the two identities. Asian men have some advantages for female impersonation, compared with other racial groups in America, because of their biological features such as shorter height, facial hair and bone structure, and hairless body. Chung, Y. B. & Singh, A. A. (2009). Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender Asian Americans. In N. Tewari & A. N. Alvarez (Ed.s). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group

31. The collectivistic cultural values of traditional Chinese culture can affect transgender Chinese-American’s decisions regarding coming out or how they manage their identities. Those who are collectivistic may manage their identity differently across different social contexts because they value the well-being of their community and significant others over their self-fulfillment.Chung, Y. B. & Singh, A. A. (2009). Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender Asian Americans. In N. Tewari & A. N. Alvarez(Ed.s). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group

32. Working with Chinese Transpersons:Chinese-Americans and Identity A complex issue for Chinese transgender individuals is their development and management of their racial and sexual/gender identities. As racial minorities, Chinese-Americans have to deal with how they acculturate to the mainstream American culture as well as their Chinese cultural heritage. Models of racial and sexual identities have generally been developed with a focus on one dimension of identity only (e.g. race or sexual orientation), with less integration of multiple identities. Continued development of one’s racial and sexual identity results in an integrated transgender Chinese American identity where both identities are complementary to each other, contributing to a holistic identity. Chung, Y. B. & Singh, A. A. (2009). Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender Asian Americans. In N. Tewari & A. N. Alvarez (Ed.s). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group

33. References (2009, July 22). Transgender in China [Wikipedia]. Retrieved fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_in_China China Daily. (2009, June 17). China to regulate transsexual operations [News]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.china.org.cn/government/central_government/2009-06/17/content_17962258.htm Chung, Y. B. & Singh, A. A. (2009). Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender Asian Americans. In N. Tewari & A. N. Alvarez (Ed.s). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group News Editor. (2009, June 18). China’s health ministry announces sex changesurgery guidelines [News Site]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/2009/06/18/8475.china-s-health-ministry-announces-sex-change-surgery-guidelines Roberts, Monica. (2009, Februrary 20). China’s transgender community [Blog]. Retrieved from http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/02/chinas-transgender-community.html Transgender in China – History of transgenderism in China [Online Encyclopedia.] Retrieved fromhttp://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Transgender_in_China_-_History_of_transgenderism_in_China/id/5540771