China trans woman faces legal challenges 3 years after firm dismissal for gender expression

A trans woman in China has been battling discrimination for three years after her company required her to dress according to her assigned gender before unjustly dismissing her.

Despite her efforts, she was unable to even have her case filed with a local court.

Her situation highlights the challenges that trans employees face when attempting to legally defend their rights against workplace discrimination.

The 32-year-old, who goes by the pseudonym Guagua, began her career at a state-owned company in eastern China’s Jiangsu province in 2019. In her first year, she struggled to conform to the expectations of a stereotypical man, but she soon felt increasingly conflicted and was plagued by depression and anxiety.

Following the death of her grandfather, Guagua realised that “one only lives once.” This revelation led her to embrace her true self, and she began receiving hormone replacement therapy in March 2021. She confided in a few trusted colleagues after her transformation.

These colleagues offered support, encouraged her to express herself as she wished, and reassured her that they did not mind her using the company’s women’s restroom. Their reactions gave Guagua hope for the future.