I think in some ways this travesty can be turned to good because it is bringing the issue to a head. I am married to a Taiwanese and currently living in Taiwan. Regarding Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting, I can say that, prior to the Olympic controversy, this was not a famous person in Taiwan, and transgenderism doesn’t have as sharp claws he…
I think in some ways this travesty can be turned to good because it is bringing the issue to a head. I am married to a Taiwanese and currently living in Taiwan. Regarding Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting, I can say that, prior to the Olympic controversy, this was not a famous person in Taiwan, and transgenderism doesn’t have as sharp claws here as it does in, say, Thailand (though, as an American I am embarrassed to admit my compatriots often confuse the two countries). So my impression is that regular people here are surprised and confused by this situation. Taiwanese are very patriotic- they always feel like the underdog and want to support their countrymen no matter what, but they are also very concerned about face/reputation, and this international controversy is awkward and somewhat embarrassing. While Asian women tend to be petite, people obviously can observe that Lin looks very masculine. The local news is reporting that Lin was born and raised female, but my husband shrugs and says “unless they are lying.” He doesn’t know what to think, yet any mother who has had prenatal bloodwork done knows that when XY chromosomes are detected it means you are having a boy. Biologically, Lin is either intersex or male. Either way, it’s unfair for Lin to compete against women. When Lin was previously stripped of a medal, he was given I believe one month to dispute the ruling and present evidence supporting qualification as a woman. So… Lin still doesn’t have that medal. People may not say too much for fear of rocking the boat, but they are definitely being forced to think about it.
I think in some ways this travesty can be turned to good because it is bringing the issue to a head. I am married to a Taiwanese and currently living in Taiwan. Regarding Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting, I can say that, prior to the Olympic controversy, this was not a famous person in Taiwan, and transgenderism doesn’t have as sharp claws here as it does in, say, Thailand (though, as an American I am embarrassed to admit my compatriots often confuse the two countries). So my impression is that regular people here are surprised and confused by this situation. Taiwanese are very patriotic- they always feel like the underdog and want to support their countrymen no matter what, but they are also very concerned about face/reputation, and this international controversy is awkward and somewhat embarrassing. While Asian women tend to be petite, people obviously can observe that Lin looks very masculine. The local news is reporting that Lin was born and raised female, but my husband shrugs and says “unless they are lying.” He doesn’t know what to think, yet any mother who has had prenatal bloodwork done knows that when XY chromosomes are detected it means you are having a boy. Biologically, Lin is either intersex or male. Either way, it’s unfair for Lin to compete against women. When Lin was previously stripped of a medal, he was given I believe one month to dispute the ruling and present evidence supporting qualification as a woman. So… Lin still doesn’t have that medal. People may not say too much for fear of rocking the boat, but they are definitely being forced to think about it.