Transgender activist in Hong Kong gets new male ID after lengthy legal battle
Henry Tse, a Hong Kong transgender activist, received his new identity card reflecting his gender identity after a yearslong legal battle.
In 2019, Henry was one of the three transgender men who were not allowed to be recognized as males on their identity cards because they did not undergo gender change.
Under the city’s rules, gender change meant that transgender people must have undergone full gender confirmation surgery, in this case, a removal or reconstruction of their genitalia.
However, in 2023, this government policy was ruled to be unconstitutional by the city’s top court, and after a year, Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal amended its policy and complied with the ruling.
This change eases the implementation of rules since the beginning of April, whereas it allows people who have not completely undergone full gender-affirming surgery to change their genders, but certain conditions still apply.
These conditions include having undergone continuous hormonal treatment for at least two years before application, the removal of breasts for transgender men, while transgender women still must undergo full gender confirmation surgery.
“This card in my hand means a lot to me and others who can finally get their new IDs,” Henry stated.
He shared that a bank staff told him to resubmit documents because he did not match his ID. When he was traveling, Henry also experienced delays because he could not change his gender on his travel permit to mainland China.
“Finally, here comes the genuine solution to all the embarrassment and daily problems caused by an incompatible identity card,” Henry declared.
After receiving his new ID card, Henry plans to start changing his other documents and pledged to continue fighting for equality for the LGBTQ community.