Pride Talk | In 2017 we shared something Part II
My name is HQ. I spent more than five years overseas, studying and working. These experiences helped transform perceptions of LGBTQ+ issues, including my topic for ShanghaiPRIDE Pride Talk last year.
Nowadays in Shanghai, many gay men, including myself, are open about our identity. With great efforts over the years, the L, G, B groups managed to earn tolerance and respect in the society. However, the LGBTQ+ community is still deeply divided, as many gay men still discriminate against feminine guys, crossdressers, and transgender people.
When I was in college, I took a course where we discussed a wide range of issues like homosexuality, sexism, racism and so forth. One day, the lecturer invited a young man to the class discussion. At first, we talked about love and life expectations, and we were impressed by his thought-provoking opinions. After five minutes, he revealed a secret that he was labeled a girl at birth. It was my first time meeting a transgender in person, and I felt a bit uneasy.
Another five minutes later, the lecturer suddenly asked the young man to take off his shirt and show us his chest. Oh dear, I was SHOCKED! But that was not the end of the drama – the lecturer even took a photo of us and showed us our own reactions
In the photo my face looked like the photo above – shocked and terrified. While I was formulating my reasons for why such nudity felt inappropriate in class getting ready to present my thoughts later (we received extra credits for presenting in class =D!), the man continued telling his story:
When he was a baby girl, he fancied spaceships more than dolls. During his teenage years, he was confused about his gender identity. At the age of 20, he made a life-changing decision: to undergo a series of transition surgeries, despite the incredible pain and stress, to become someone he had been dreaming to become, A MAN!
Sex reassignment surgeries include face, breasts, and genital reconstructions. Compared with the other two, breast reconstruction is less risky, but it’s too expensive for him so he opted not to do it. As a result, he ended up looking like any other man except when he went topless.
As he’s about to finish his story, I realized the uneasiness I was feeling was just excuses for my weakness and stubbornness. Ten minutes prior, I was shocked by someone who had probably faced struggles similar to my own; I was horrified by a brave young man who fully embraced his identity and strove to be true to himself！
And then I pondered:
Is my situation that disgusting too? Is that young man that scary? And then I realized the problem lies in me. This realization was disturbing, and yet liberating as it changed my perspectives in a positive way.
So my dear friends, gay or straight, please take off your tinted spectacles, and you will see a world full of true colors. And please cast off your prejudices against transgender people — not only because they are warriors who deserve our respect, but more importantly, because they are friends, role models, and true brothers and sisters in our LGBTQ+ community.
Come share with us your story!
Referral of speakers also welcome!
