China: Man Seeking Sex Change Surgery Forcibly Given Electric Shock and Hospitalised for 97 Days; Sues Hospital for 80,000 Yuan

Mumbai, August 22: Linger, a 27-year-old Chinese live-streamer from Hebei province in northern China, was allegedly forced to undergo electroconvulsive (or electroshock) therapy for 97 days in the hospital while waiting for a gender reassignment surgery. Linger has now filed a Yuan 80,000 (around USD 11,000) compensatory lawsuit against the hospital for violating human rights.

Linger, who was born a male but identifies as a woman, had saved up for this surgery by live-streaming for years. He had begun his pre-surgery hormonal therapy by taking the female sex hormone oestrogen as well, which added to his transition to a more feminine self. His voice softened, his hair grew longer, and his facial hair was reduced.

What happened at the Hospital?

When Linger first visited the Jiulongshan Hospital in 2022 at his parent's request, the doctors admitted him to the psychiatric ward despite never having any mental illness. To his shock, the doctor there diagnosed him with an "anxiety disorder" and an "ego-dystonic sexual orientation", due to which a person remains conflicted between his desired and actual sexual orientation.

Linger, as per South China Morning Post's report, claimed that after being admitted to the hospital, the doctors controlled his body by tying him with ropes to the bed and then administered electroshock therapy for 97 days. However, the hospital claimed to have done "nothing wrong" during the trial on August 13. They added that Linger’s mother had signed a consent form before the treatment. EU Tariffs on EV Makers: Tesla To Pay 9% Import Duties on Its China-Manufactured Electric Cars, Others Chinese Companies up to 36.3%; Here’s Why.

Reaction of his Parents

Linger's parents were dismissive of his sex change therapy and did not approve of it. It led to arguments between Linger and his parents as, traditionally, in Chinese beliefs, the body is a sacred entity, and one's gender is innate. It must not be destroyed or tampered with surgeries like a gender reassignment, the Chinese believe. Joe Biden Warns Xi Jinping Against Working With Russia, Says ‘China Will Face Consequences for Helping Russia in Its War Against Ukraine’.

Since being transgender in China is not classified as a mental illness, legal experts contended that Linger's forced hospitalisation is unjustified. Linger's case is still being tried in court.

Beijing plastic surgeon Pan Bailin supported the case, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The doctor said that using electroconvulsive therapy to try and reverse gender identity was not scientific. He further added in the SCMP report, "Transgender people are not mentally ill. They can alleviate their gender anxiety through psychological counselling, hormone therapy and voice training."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2024 12:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).