4 Oct 2019

The Chinese transgender choir who’re singing for acceptance

In an old theatre between soaring tower blocks in China's southwestern city of Chengdu, a choir of transgender singers are on stage belting out the empowering lyrics of Jolin Tsai's anthem "Me".

"My reflection in the mirror, is a stranger's face, which one is the real me, which one is the fake?" the group sing in unison.

 

The members of the Trans Chorus aren't professional singers and come from across China -- but they share similar stories of their struggle with identities in a country where being transgender is still classed as a "mental illness".
As the music fades out Fang Yuran, wearing a purple headband, silver suit jacket and pink top, takes a bow, smiles, and begins relaying personal experiences of growing up transgender in Hefei city, eastern Anhui province.
Members of the audience are moved to tears.

The members of the Trans Chorus aren't professional singers and come from across China -- but they share similar stories of their struggle with identities in a country where being transgender is still classed as a "mental illness".

As the music fades out Fang Yuran, wearing a purple headband, silver suit jacket and pink top, takes a bow, smiles, and begins relaying personal experiences of growing up transgender in Hefei city, eastern Anhui province.Members of the audience are moved to tears.

 

China