For many individuals, an identity card may seem like a mundane item tucked away in a wallet, rarely given much thought. However, for Hong Kong transgender activist Henry Tse, his ID card became the focal point of a seven-year legal battle for recognition that recently concluded with a significant victory.
After years of fighting, Tse was finally able to obtain a new ID card from Hong Kong's immigration office on Monday, officially registering his gender as male. Clad in colors representing the transgender flag, Tse expressed relief at the resolution, stating that the new card signifies an end to the challenges and daily struggles caused by an inaccurate identity document.
Tse's case reflects a broader trend in East Asia, where LGBTQ activists often resort to legal action against conservative governments to push for greater equality, despite growing public support for LGBTQ rights.
The 33-year-old activist, who identifies as a man and holds both British and Hong Kong passports, had faced resistance from Hong Kong authorities, who previously required full gender confirmation surgery for gender marker changes on identity cards. Tse's legal battle challenged this policy, arguing that surgery should not be a mandatory requirement for gender recognition.
In February last year, Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal ruled in Tse's favor, but it took over a year for the government to update its policy to comply with the decision. Under the revised framework, female-to-male transgender applicants now only need to undergo top surgery, while male-to-female applicants still require full gender confirmation surgery.
Despite the progress, the Immigration Department reported that only about one-third of the 108 gender status change applications received have been approved so far, with the rest still under review. The ID card holds significant importance in daily life, from administrative tasks like tax filing and banking to personal activities such as booking appointments or facilities.
