China accommodates the greatest population of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. The population had not been recognized within Chinese society until ten years ago. Even though legal harassment was retracted in 1997, prejudice against these individuals persists. In China, transgender individuals must undergo psychotherapy for one year before obtaining consent to gender-affirming surgery. Fear and discrimination prevent transgender individuals from accessing proper gender-affirming surgery and treatment. Consequently, they opt for rather harmful approaches such as self-medication. Authors Wang et.al., article on Discrimination against LGBT populations in China recognize the severity of discrimination against these groups of people. Author Westcott China’s transgender people driven to self-medicate article also acknowledges the existence of discrimination among LGBT and further asserts the implications of such discrimination that have compelled transgender individuals to self-medicate. The articles affirm that it is crucial that LGBT rights are acknowledged, and that these individuals receive fair treatment.
Discrimination against LGBT populations in China
Wang et.al., affirms that transgender individuals are classified as psychological disorders. The authors’ target audience constitutes the general Chinese community whom they persuade to offer an acceptable environment to transgender individuals. The authors connote that transgender people currently experience difficulty in accessing gender-affirming surgery, hormonal treatment, and general transgender health care. Moreover, the accessibility to psychotherapy, which is an essential component before the approval of gender-affirming surgery, is also limited (Wang, Yuanyuan, et al.) Wang et.al., further insists that in as much as initiatives have been instigated to address LGBT rights, there is still much that remains unaddressed. For instance, there is a need for learning institutions to prevent bullying incidences, health personnel within private and public clinics should be trained on the dangers of sexual orientation conversion efforts (SOCE), and the general community should be educated on the importance of diversity.
Wang et.al., utilizes logos when they state that discrimination against LGBT people prevents them from obtaining adequate sexual education, which can be obstacles to preventing HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Hence, the essence of reducing discrimination against LGBT minorities is emphasized. The use of pathos is quite weak though the authors implore the general audience to instigate efforts of accepting diversity and accommodating these people. Further, the authors emphasize that discrimination against LGBT minorities predisposes them to psychological disorders. Wang et.al., use of ethos is apparent from the proficiency in LGBT issues and publication of prior articles concerned with prejudice experienced by LGBT people in China.
China’s transgender people driven to self-medicate
Westcott addresses the challenges encountered by transgender people that have driven them to self –medicate. The audience comprises the Chinese government and the transgender minorities. The author targets to influence the government to institute policies that address LGBT issues and to enable an environment that transgender individuals can comfortably access surgery and treatment. The author confirms that there is limited information in regard to transgender issues in China; thus, young transgender individuals are compelled to seek information from unreliable sources. In China, transsexual minorities have to undergo stringent criterion prior to the gender-affirming surgery. Westcott further alleges that the inaccessibility to hormonal treatment has forced numerous transgender individuals to obtain counterfeit medication from online sources with limited information in regards to side effects and dosage. The author asserts that prejudice against transsexuals has caused them to have fear and generally avoid interactions.
Westcott’s use of logos is apparent when he asserts that the use of self- medication may cause detrimental health effects. Self-medication is associated with dosages, poor side effects and may lead to fatality. Many transgender minorities, especially young individuals, are predisposed to self –medication due to their limited ability to access proper treatment (Ben Westcott, 2020). The author’s use of pathos is greatly utilized as he implores the Chinese government to comprehend the detrimental effects that transsexuals experience before accessing treatment. He implores the government to ensure that proper health care and psychotherapy education is made available to transgender minorities. He discourages transsexual minorities from engaging in harmful techniques such as self-medication. Westcott’s use of ethos is evident since he is a professional for CNN, a prominent media station, recognized globally. He has published multiple articles, especially regarding LGBT issues; hence he is well-versed about the challenges experienced by these people.
Both articles appropriately tackle the issue of transgender and the discrimination they experience. The articles acknowledge that the acceptance of transsexuals within Chinese society is still very low. Both articles also affirm that transsexual minorities are unable to access suitable treatment and surgeries. Wang et.al, addresses the Chinese population while Westcott addresses the Chinese government and the transsexual minorities. Wang et.al, mentions that the lack of adequate sexual education predisposes transgender minorities to diseases transmitted sexually. They further assert that SOCE should be integrated into private and public clinics. Westcott integrates the concept of self-medication among transgender individuals as a result of the inaccessibility to proper health care. The author denotes that self-medication is more profound among young transsexual individuals who possess limited knowledge in regards to suitable transgender health care. Both articles utilize logos to establish credibility towards the extent of transsexual discrimination. Wang et.al., asserts that adequate sexual education is imperative to reduce sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. The use logos by Westcott is notable when he describes the negative side effects associated with self-medication. Both articles employ the use of pathos; however, Wang et.al., utilization of the concept is quite weak. Wang et.al., implores the Chinese population to learn to integrate diversity and become more accommodating to LGBT individuals. The authors further connote that the inequality towards transsexuals predisposes them to psychological disorders; hence the community must learn to accept them. They further state the essence of accepting diversity among individuals. They assert that when the community learns to accept transgender people, it will be easy for these individuals to access diverse services without being fearful.
Moreover, they advocate that learning institutions should prevent bullying of LGBT people. Westcott also advocates for better integration with transgender minorities. He implores the Chinese government to ensure that it institutes proper treatment facilities for transsexuals to minimize the incidences of self-medication. Both articles have effectively integrated the use of ethos. Wang et.al., are well-proficient regarding transgender issues since they have background knowledge of similar content. Westcott is a recognized author of a reputable media station, and he has published numerous articles. He is well-versed with the challenges experienced by transsexuals and makes it an aim to address such concerns.
Conclusion
The largest population of LGBT individuals is found in China. Chinese society’s acceptance of transgender minorities is very low. Discrimination hinders transsexuals from accessing proper treatment and surgery as well as adequate sexual education. Hence, I must pursue a similar study to determine the extent of discrimination within the Chinese community and its impact on transgender individuals. I seek to determine whether the current initiatives that advocate for the prevention of LGBT discrimination have managed to address the situation and the necessary strategies that should be implemented to address the subject better. I intend to compare the situation with that of developed nations to identify the gaps in China. I target to obtain the latest data on the proportion of transsexual individuals who engage in self-medication to reveal the severity of the situation. My research will also cover the impact of discrimination on transgender minorities in the workplace and other public areas, and its outcome on personal development and career progress. I will seek to establish the extent to which prejudice affects the general welfare of transsexuals. Moreover, I will confirm the current trends in LGBT access to crucial services such as health facilities.
