After a long battle, Xin Yue is finally living as her truest self.
The 72-year-old transgender woman was recently able to undergo gender confirmation surgery in China’s Guangdong province.
But her story makes clear the barriers and discrimination transgender people still face in society.
Xin, who is from Beijing, had to complete a series of tests and answer more than 1,000 questions to ensure she was “ready” for gender confirmation surgeries.
Under Chinese law, patients also need to get approval from their direct relatives before they can undergo gender confirmation surgery.
Thankfully, both Xin’s wife and daughter were in full support of her need to transition.
“(Our daughter) joked that she would have two mothers,” Leng Rui, Xin Yue’s wife told the Southern Metropolis Daily.
Xin says she still lives together with her wife, though she explained their relationship status has changed.
“In the future, my wife and I can use the term ‘sister’ for each other,” she said. “We will still live together.”
Xin grew up with two brothers, and was often dressed in girl’s clothing by her parents because they wanted a daughter. She was given the nickname Er gu niang, or “second girl.”
Xin eventually got married and the couple had a child three years after marriage. But it was only after her retirement in 2002 that she eventually came across a forum for LGBTQ people and realised she was transgender.
After undergoing confirmation curgery, Xin says she now feels like a woman in “her 30s.”
Chinese netizens were quick to come out in support of Xin, with many hailing her decision.
“She’s brave to do this on her own. I wish her happiness and health in old age,” said one netizen on Weibo.
“Her lifetime is finally considered complete. What a blessing!” said another.
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