Letters | Time Hong Kong talked about love and respect for all, regardless of gender identity

Women and gender

Letters

Published: 6:30am, 26 Nov 2020

Why you can trust SCMP

I am writing in response to “Show aims to shatter gender stereotypes” (November 16). It referred to the Transcendence Art Show at the KUC Space in the Kowloon Union Church in Jordan showcasing how transgender people are trying to dismantle stigma in society and start the conversation about transgenderism on the road to greater acceptance, with coming-out stories dubbed “human library sessions”.

It is understandable that transgender people want to fight for justice by campaigning for wider social acceptance. People in our society often have stereotypical impressions about others who seem different. Homosexual and transgender people around us are being treated unequally.

When people are young, they are taught traditional norms of human behaviour, such as not being allowed to change one’s gender or its even being considered a crime against nature. In my opinion, we need to throw away these mindsets because people have a right to live as they wish.

Those who are cisgender need to empathise with their transgender peers. Imagine if you were a transgender person who needed to seek others’ understanding to get the confidence to come out and announce your real identity to your loved ones, including friends and family.

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It is therefore commendable for those advocating for transgender rights to organise the Transcendence Art Show together. Apart from sharing their individual stories via “human library” sessions, they will also showcase a series of stereotype-shattering photos which represent the diversity of the transgender community.

It is a meaningful initiative to help others realise what being transgender means, learn to value everyone as they are, and respect their choices.

Siu Tsz Ying, Tseung Kwan O

Leave it to individuals to choose own path through life

I am writing to express my view on the article “Transcendence Art Show looks to shatter stereotypes about Hong Kong’s transgender community, build acceptance through interaction” (November 16).

Traditional beliefs say gender is something we are born with. Some people claim we should not try to change this. To respect our parents giving us an opportunity to live in the world, experience and grow, we should not choose to change our gender.

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Freedom is what all of us have and what we wish everyone to have. However, so many people like to judge each other’s decisions. Those who are transgender and choose to identify as such are brave, and this is what all of us should respect.

Our own future and path through life should be decided by ourselves, most of all our choices relating to our identity on this Earth. No one can take away control of that and none should judge us on the decision we made.

We should not be limited by other’s opinions of us. The pursuit of happiness is a universal right.

Kaylee Fung, Tseung Kwan O

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