Colonel Jin Xing: China's first transsexual.
May 15th 2008 06:12
Jin Xing joined the Chinese Army from the age of 9 years, training in the Army's dance troupe, (he) eventually rose to the rank of colonel. Jin Xing identified with women from a very young age, but was only attracted to men. He thought he was gay and tried several gay relationships,while on scholarship to New York when 19, but, after a few relationship attempts, (he) realized something was wrong. Jin Xing's partners always criticised (him) for being too effeminate and softly spoken, "like a girl", Jin secretly considered that a compliment!
Photo credit: www.filmakers.com
LINK:
filmakers
While in New York, Jin Xing discovered transsexualism existed, and that there was a cure for those who were caught in the wrong body. It took Jin till (he) was 30, to finally convince the Chinese bureaucrats that (he) should be allowed to have a gender reassignment operation, which his employers, the Chinese Republican Army, fully supported!
Jin Xing underwent gender reassignment in 1996, becoming China's first person to do so.
Jin Xing then went on to create the first privately run and financed dance troupe in China. Initially, Jin Xing was not allowed to perform on Western stages, but that has changed, and she just performed at the Stanford University in America this April, in the Stanford Pan-Asian Music Festival.
This is how Jin Xing and her dance company is being promoted on the Stanford University site at this very moment;
QUOTE:
“probably the world’s best dancer” —Die Zeit
From army colonel to prize-winning dancer, the path of transgender Chinese choreographer Jin Xing is one of struggle, discovery, and metamorphosis. With a thrilling and sensual dance vocabulary, Jin Xing leads her company’s American debut featuring Red and Black, Half Dream, and a lavish, pageant-like production of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, suffused with extreme elements of ritual and set against a rich and colorful backdrop. A testament to the composer’s wish that words, music, and dance be a single experience, this larger-than-life production features more than 300 artists onstage, including Stanford’ Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus.
UNQUOTE
Photo credit: "Stanford Lively Arts" Stanford University
LINK: Stanford University
Jin's work is very much appreciated by the army top brass. So much so, that when she is criticised, which still happens, the army speaks up for her, and exclaims there should not be a problem with her choice in life, and that she was always excellent, in all that she did, particularly in the Army!
Isn't that amazing? This is communist China we are talking about!
Today, Jin Xing runs her own dance company based in Shanghai, has a German husband, and has three adopted children. Jin Xing's dance company is self funded, so there is little interference with her subject matter, which in itself is remarkable for China.
However, the cultural watchdog is always keeping an eye on her work, but little criticism is ever said. This is also a big change for China, for in the past, anything that was not total propaganda was deemed unacceptable and the 'culprit' was sent for 're-education'...hard labour and indoctrination basically.
However, this brave woman stood up for what she knew was right, that being, she was mistakenly and cruelly born into a man's body, in a country where human rights are not the first consideration, as we see it from the Western point of view.
It amazes me, Jin Xing's story, and we can all celebrate it, by buying her autobiography, "Shanghai Tango: A Memoir".
Jin Xing's story casts China in a new light, to my mind.
China is like a giant flower in bud, slowly growing on a bed of social change, very gradually opening its petals. Once China is in full bloom, its beauty shall stun world criticism into silence.
I pray their leadership sees the value in furthering human rights, for gays, religions and somehow allows Tibet's culture to live in undisturbed peace and their leader the Dalai Lama, to return to his people.
If this happens, China would find its global diplomatic position would be much stronger, and far more influential than the most murderous weapon of mass destruction.
Human Rights are the true global weapon of mass change.
It is only through human rights that any country will gain and retain the adoration and cooperation of its people, and a deserving place of respect, upon the pages of history.
Jin Xing: now the Chinese Army's poster girl!
LINK:
filmakers
While in New York, Jin Xing discovered transsexualism existed, and that there was a cure for those who were caught in the wrong body. It took Jin till (he) was 30, to finally convince the Chinese bureaucrats that (he) should be allowed to have a gender reassignment operation, which his employers, the Chinese Republican Army, fully supported!
Jin Xing underwent gender reassignment in 1996, becoming China's first person to do so.
Jin Xing then went on to create the first privately run and financed dance troupe in China. Initially, Jin Xing was not allowed to perform on Western stages, but that has changed, and she just performed at the Stanford University in America this April, in the Stanford Pan-Asian Music Festival.
This is how Jin Xing and her dance company is being promoted on the Stanford University site at this very moment;
QUOTE:
“probably the world’s best dancer” —Die Zeit
From army colonel to prize-winning dancer, the path of transgender Chinese choreographer Jin Xing is one of struggle, discovery, and metamorphosis. With a thrilling and sensual dance vocabulary, Jin Xing leads her company’s American debut featuring Red and Black, Half Dream, and a lavish, pageant-like production of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, suffused with extreme elements of ritual and set against a rich and colorful backdrop. A testament to the composer’s wish that words, music, and dance be a single experience, this larger-than-life production features more than 300 artists onstage, including Stanford’ Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus.
UNQUOTE
Jin Xing Dance Theatre: performing at Stanford University, April 2008.
Photo credit: "Stanford Lively Arts" Stanford University
LINK: Stanford University
Jin's work is very much appreciated by the army top brass. So much so, that when she is criticised, which still happens, the army speaks up for her, and exclaims there should not be a problem with her choice in life, and that she was always excellent, in all that she did, particularly in the Army!
Isn't that amazing? This is communist China we are talking about!
Today, Jin Xing runs her own dance company based in Shanghai, has a German husband, and has three adopted children. Jin Xing's dance company is self funded, so there is little interference with her subject matter, which in itself is remarkable for China.
However, the cultural watchdog is always keeping an eye on her work, but little criticism is ever said. This is also a big change for China, for in the past, anything that was not total propaganda was deemed unacceptable and the 'culprit' was sent for 're-education'...hard labour and indoctrination basically.
However, this brave woman stood up for what she knew was right, that being, she was mistakenly and cruelly born into a man's body, in a country where human rights are not the first consideration, as we see it from the Western point of view.
It amazes me, Jin Xing's story, and we can all celebrate it, by buying her autobiography, "Shanghai Tango: A Memoir".
Shanghai Tango: A Memoir by Jin Xing
Jin Xing's story casts China in a new light, to my mind.
China is like a giant flower in bud, slowly growing on a bed of social change, very gradually opening its petals. Once China is in full bloom, its beauty shall stun world criticism into silence.
I pray their leadership sees the value in furthering human rights, for gays, religions and somehow allows Tibet's culture to live in undisturbed peace and their leader the Dalai Lama, to return to his people.
If this happens, China would find its global diplomatic position would be much stronger, and far more influential than the most murderous weapon of mass destruction.
Human Rights are the true global weapon of mass change.
It is only through human rights that any country will gain and retain the adoration and cooperation of its people, and a deserving place of respect, upon the pages of history.
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Comment by Louie
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Thanks Fog.
Comment by Mountain Fog
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QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
I must try and get her book soon, she was out here this last week I think...I only found out afterwards..pity, I want a signed book!
cheers
fog
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
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Stay healthy and loose weight
Cheers
Comment by Tracy
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Thanks, Fog..
Comment by postmoderncritic
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The Chinese potential for tolerance is incredible... for many, homophobia is not an issue and even the homophobes aren't as adamant about it as people in other parts of the world...
I also hope for the best in terms of China's appropriation of human rights, but am preparing for the worst just in case.
I can't wait to go back and travel in China... unfortunately if I get around to teaching English overseas again I am more likely to do so in Thailand, due to their democratic system, Europe or Latin America. I still think of China a lot - it has captured my imagination - and I look forward to increased coverage on everything Chinese as the Olympics looms closer and closer.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Mountain Fog
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Morgan, no, nothing to do with lack of money and/or medical experts.
The very idea of a man changing into a woman was totally foreign to the Chinese way of life, it being a highly parochial and paternal society, they value the male above the female in general outlook, probably because it is largely (or was) a rural based economy, and a male could do more hard physical work on a farm, well, that was the traditional idea in the head of farmers.
Homosexuality is not officially condoned I believe, yet as postmoderncritic points out, there are very many tolerant people within the Chinese society.
Frankly, I think this only came about because the Army stood up for her, and still does!
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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yeah it is amazing, of course other Asian nations are far more tolerant of gays, transsexuals and transvestites, like Thailand, Japan, and I think Vietnam is tolerant too, not sure?
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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I am eagerly awaiting reading her autobiography too!
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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and thankyou for your trust, albeit with some hesitation...hehe!
yes, it is a magnificent outcome, to an extraordinary life.
I am fascinated that you worked in China, if I got that right?
I would love to read what your travels through China were like.
You must do a post on that soon, and let everyone know about it.
cheers
fog
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Padsoc
Can you tell me about your own experiences with the place? Perhaps there's a post in it for you also?
Comment by Lilla
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Esoteric Bookshop
What a wonderfully heartwarming story,...
Another amazing troupe to put on my list to look out for in this lifetime (if they head north to Brisbane)... Verakai was something else, but who can go past the amazing Chinese interpretation of things ...(and the Japanese too) ... both equally brilliant!
Wonderfully inspiring and proof eternal that persistance is what creates success, nothing else.
Thanks for posting it.
Lilla ...
Comment by Hazel Castillo
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The one child policy they have is over-ruled or may be re-considered if their first born is a girl. so the idea of allowing a male be changed to a female is surprising.
Which makes her/his story very very interesting.
Comment by charles
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Ponderous
Comment by Mountain Fog
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I never got to China, sadly. I would love to see it, the ancient areas particularly of course.
I look forward to reading your travel account of China!
chat soon
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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isn't it inspiring???
And I too look forward to seeing her stage shows, should be incredible. You can buy a DVD, but they want over $300 US for it!!! An American rip off agent has got its claws into it by the looks..
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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lovely to hear from you!
Which country are you from, if I may ask?
I will check out your blog, in case you don't read this.
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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that was all my pleasure to share her story!
I am glad it gave you a feeling of inspiration, she is an amazing person, I'd love to meet her one day!
cheers
fog
Comment by Louella Suque
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Comment by Mountain Fog
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isn't it amazing? What incredible courage and resolve Jin Xing had, and still does!
Imagine living in such a huge culture, where the last time the borders between male and female were tolerated, was in the time of the Emperors!
cheers
fog