China man awaiting sex change operation sues hospital after he was given electric shocks

A 27-year-old in China has sued a hospital for 80,000 yuan (about Rs 9.4 lakh) after he was forced to undergo electroshock therapy. The man, who was waiting for a gender reassignment surgery, said that he was forcibly hospitalised for 97 days and was given electric shocks for days.

Linger is a live-streamer from Hebei province in northern China, who posts videos of himself online wearing make-up and women’s clothing, South China Morning Post reported. He told Hongxing News that, although he was born male, he identifies as a woman. Linger also said that he had saved money for his surgery.

He began to take oestrogen (female sex hormone) and gradually, his facial hair became sparse and his voice softened. He even grew his hair long.

But Linger’s parents were not supportive of his decision. They could not accept their son’s transition, which led to arguments since traditionally, the Chinese believe that the body is a gift from one’s parents and that one's gender should not be changed. Therefore, a sex change operation is considered disrespectful to parents.