In the lead-up to the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (upcoming on 17 May 2021), the latest survey of 234 transgender people in Hong Kong between 2019 and 2020, the largest survey on the population in Hong Kong so far, has been released on 12 May 2021.
The survey conducted by the Sexualities Research Programme of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Transgender Resource Centre, found that:
- Rejection, victimisation and discrimination were the rule rather than the exception in many transgender people’s lives in Hong Kong. 76% of the respondents reported facing rejection in different dimensions of social life in their lifetime. 62% of the respondents reported having experienced different forms of victimisation in their lifetime. 51.1% of the respondents reported facing discrimination in at least one of the following four domains in the previous year: Employment (34.8%), education (34.8%), provision of goods and services (36.9%) and disposal and management of premises (26.2%).
Transgender people in Hong Kong reported great difficulties in using a toilet which matches their self-identified gender, or even simply accessing toilets in public spaces. Worse still, when using the toilet, transgender people in Hong Kong were subjected to verbal assault, physical violence, or even sexual contact against their wishes.
A substantial proportion of the respondents had not undergone, were not sure or did not want to undergo gender-affirming medical interventions because of a variety of reasons, which means they were excluded from being eligible for a change of the sex entry on the identity card sex entry based on the current regulations set out by the Hong Kong government. Only 5.6% of the respondents had changed the on their identity card, and another 6% said they were in the process of doing so. 75% agreed that the government should recognise non-binary gender options.
Background and research methodology
A web-based survey examining the lived experiences of transgender people in Hong Kong – the 2019/20 Hong Kong Transgender Survey (HKTS) – was designed and conducted in collaboration with Transgender Resource Centre, the largest group working with and for transgender people in Hong Kong. The study was designed with a careful review of existing research literature, with additional feedback from the leaders of Transgender Resource Centre and pilot interviewees.
Data collection was conducted from May 2019 to June 2020. Participants were recruited through online postings distributed to transgender-related listservs, service organisations, and by transgender community leaders. Participants were included if they reported (1) being 16 years of age or above, (2) having a gender identity and/or expression that is different from those typically associated with their sex assigned at birth, (3) living in Hong Kong, and (4) being able to understand Chinese.
After providing informed consent, participants completed the online survey hosted by Qualtrics. They received HK$50 as a compensation for their time and effort. The study protocol and materials were approved by the Survey and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The full report can be downloaded here.
Suen, Y.T., Chan, R.C.H., and Wong, E.M.Y. (2021). Excluded lives: The largest scale survey on the social and legal marginalisation of transgender people in Hong Kong so far. Hong Kong: Sexualities Research Programme, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Sexualities Research Programme (SRP) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is the first research programme in Hong Kong dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexuality issues, with a particular focus on sexual orientation, gender identity, law and social policy.
Should you wish to request for the full report, or should you have any enquiries, please contact Prof. Suen Yiu Tung at suenyiutung@cuhk.edu.hk or Eliz Wong at the Sexualities Research Programme at (852) 65756357 (WhatsApp/phone).
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