China’s Supreme People’s Court has issued a major response reinforcing legal protections for LGBTQ+ people against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
The Court has issued guidance indicating that insults or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity can violate personal dignity under existing laws, potentially leading to apologies and compensation.
It also references employment discrimination and school bullying, encouraging more consistent application of civil and labour laws in China.
This is a written response from the Research Office of the Supreme People’s Court to a Chinese citizen who petitioned the court to clarify anti-discrimination principles in judicial adjudication. Petition, is a centuries-old channel through which people in China have appealed directly to the authorities.
Although they may offer some insight into how the responding authority views a given issue, but should not be read as formal policy change.
Homosexuality is not illegal in China and it was officially removed from a list of mental disorders in 2001. But experts and activists say LGBT people still face persistent discrimination and prejudice.
