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Gender

Gender
The latest gender news and features, with a millennial focus, including gender identity, gender issues, discrimination, equality and inequality, and equal rights.
Jailed activist Chow Hang-tung lost a judicial review against a Hong Kong Correctional Services Department rule that prohibits female inmates from wearing shorts in summer. Photo: Peter Parks
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong activist loses legal fight over prison shorts ban for female inmates

High Court judge Russell Coleman upholds prison rules, citing ‘little merit’ in Chow Hang‑tung’s equality challenge.

Malaysia

‘We are not criminals’: Malaysian LGBTQ event faces conservative backlash

Crime

Online predator ‘White Tiger’ on trial in Germany over crimes against children

Science

Top biotech scientist Chen Xiaoyuan denies harassment claim, says he will appeal

Professor is the subject of social media claims and counterclaims after NUS alleged his behaviour was ‘unsolicited and unwanted’.

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The National University of Singapore has confirmed it has terminated the tenure of Chen Xiaoyuan after investigating harassment allegations. Photo: Handout
Viral stories

Japan girl pop star comes out as transmasculine non-binary after breast removal

20-year-old rapper says being born, raised a woman caused her ‘deep discomfort’; hopes operation can ‘shine a light’, divides online opinion.

Women and gender

Looking back on 2025

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Women and gender

How to succeed? Siobhan Haughey and other Hong Kong women trailblazers open up

Olympian Siobhan Haughey, businesswoman Joanna Hotung and education advocate Vivian Chung discuss female leadership and youth empowerment.

Hong Kong Olympian swimmer Siobhan Haughey chats with students at the “Empower through Reading” talk on December 7. Photo: Chanel
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘moral police’ slammed over dress code dispute

The skirt-wearing women were barred from entering a police station to report a car accident, which lawyers say is a ‘violation’ of constitutional rights.

Women and gender

Malaysian woman in skirt forced to buy trousers to enter police station

A minister has urged a review of guidelines on attire following the incident, saying ‘people don’t dress up in anticipation of crime’.

Japan

Japan weighs plan to punish sex buyers, but will it be enough?

Experts warn the sex industry will find ways to circumvent new rules and the problem needs to be tackled from various angles simultaneously.

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People walk past an entrance gate of Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red-light district, in Shinjuku, Japan. Photo: EPA-EFE
Trending in China

China wife of gay husband contests estate against his lover, parents after man’s death

Homosexuals posed as ‘father and son’ in public before older of the two was killed in road accident, sparking bitter legal dispute.

In China, after a gay man’s death in a car accident, his wife contested his estate against his lover and parents, leading to a bitter legal dispute. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Pop-star princess: Japan’s Aiko turns 24 amid calls for her to become empress

The princess’ supporters want Japan to change its male-only succession law but an academic says that is unlikely in the conservative country.

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Women and gender

Hong Kong’s first home-grown female captain

Diplomacy

Opinion | Why next year’s G20 could be make or break for global development

As the US prepares to chair the G20, it faces a strategic choice: engage or revert to a narrower agenda.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
European Union

EU’s top court rules same-sex marriages must be respected across bloc

The court ruled Poland’s refusal to recognise a German couple’s same-sex marriage violated EU law and their right to a ‘normal family life’.

Two girls kiss holding a rainbow flag during the gay pride parade in Bucharest, Romania in 2018. Photo: AP
Trending in China

China ‘best boyfriend’ crochets qipao for girlfriend, inspired by late mother

Muscular man combines cycling in gym with crocheting classic garment as surprise gift; rejects critics who deride his hobby as ‘women’s work’.

LGBTQ

Hong Kong pop-up Queer Room gives ‘alternative individuals’ a place to connect

Until December 14, the inclusive Sheung Wan space welcomes guests with LGBTQ literature and group talks. Here are some of its coming events.

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Women and gender

Opinion | Together, we can move closer to eliminating violence against women

No jurisdiction is spared from gender-based violence. Thus international cooperation is essential to build momentum and find solutions.

Protesters display the names and ages of victims of femicide in Bordeaux, France on November 22, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Photo: AFP
Jewellery

Why male celebrities love Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra jewellery

The collection has attracted stars like A$AP Rocky, Offset, LeBron James and Hong Kong Olympic champion fencer Cheung Ka-long – but why?

2025 National Games

Female athletes break records, drive success at China's National Games

Malaysia

Meet the Muslim trans woman whose 50-year-old secret reshapes Malaysian history

From being one of the first to undergo gender-affirming surgery to a kadi-blessed marriage, Sari Kartina’s life has been a journey of faith.

Sari Kartina Abdul Karim at her home in the Netherlands. Photo: Facebook/Sharina Abdul Karim
United States

US Supreme Court rejects appeal to overturn same-sex marriage ruling

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, denied Kim Davis’s appeal after she refused to issue marriage licences to a same-sex couple.

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Supporters of gay marriage wave the rainbow flag outside the Supreme Court in Washington in 2015 after it ruled the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry. Photo: Reuters
Icons and Influencers

Meet French TikTok star Bách Buquen, who’s normalising make-up for men

Buquen may be only 19, but he’s already attending events with A-listers like Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, and going to Tod’s and Gucci shows.

India

India celebrates victory for women’s cricket

Sexual harassment and assault

Mexico President Sheinbaum presses charges after being groped by man in public

President calls for tougher action on sexual harassment in Mexico after she was groped while greeting supporters.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during a press conference at the National Palace on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Trending in China

Leggy Chinese dad gains online fame for slender limbs, attracts legwear brands

Despite some netizens accusing him of using leg-lengthening filters, Xu denies, attributes leg shape to mum’s genetics.

A Chinese father has gained attention for his extremely long legs, catching the eye of legwear brands. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Singapore

Man jailed 20 years in Singapore for ‘wicked’ rape of step-granddaughter

The judge allowed ‘little leniency’ for using a relative for ‘lust’, given the victim’s great psychological harm, PTSD, and self-harm.

HKEX

Hong Kong’s women leaders drive finance talent and economic growth: Paul Chan

Nearly 60 per cent of business students are women – and they are the future fintech innovators and next-gen CEOs, financial secretary says.

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