Identity
Some of you might have come across videos of this China guy who crossdresses as a girl in the singing contest Super Boy in China. Hell he even sounded exactly like one!
Not fully understanding the whole fuss, even thinking that it's a gay contest as my Mandarin is not exactly good, I decided to google on it and was astonished to see it's open for all as long as you're male. I can't exactly say that I disapprove wholeheartedly of this guy's decision. However neither can I say that I agree with what he did.
As far as the word male goes, it is generally agreed that it stands for the biological aspect. That is the sex you are born in. So technically speaking as long as you are born with a set of testicles and a penis complete with the characteristics of a typical male, you can qualify in the said contest.
This also means that sexuality has no stand in it. Whether you are homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual, you are still biologically male. The preferred sex of your partner is hardly relevant.
Unfortunately when you add in the element of crossdressing, that's where the situation gets tricky. Yes sure the guy is still biologically male. But outwardly he is wearing the semblance of a biological female. Surely that is quite disorientating for a contest where it's generally understood that everyone would look male.
While I am not saying that everyone should and must conform to a cookie cutter stereotypical set of approved appearance for each sex, surely one will know of the implication of one's actions in such a situation. It's almost as if I turn up for auditions for Manhunt dressed in female clothing complete with hair and makeup, and try to argue that I am biologically male so I qualify. Or a drag king or butch turning up to compete for Ms Universe!
You do have to know when you decide to be different from most people, you will be excluded from certain aspects in and of society. Maybe it's sad, maybe it's not right but that's the price you pay for being unique. Nothing is absolutely free in this world.
But unfortunately such lines are always blurred and very often taken advantage of. For example a DJ friend of mine used to remark with deep disgust at butches who turns up at Ladies Night at straight clubs and demand for free drinks.
So what I don't understand is why would someone knowingly join a defined sex contest while wearing the form of the opposite sex. What's even more confusing is that the guy said that he has no plans to undergo any sex reassignment surgery as he is comfortable in his own male body. Yes i know that is a talent contest and looks should not have any bearing. I mean look at Susan Boyle!
However I do have to point out that the contest Susan Boyle joined is open to both sexes and thus even if she were to turn up dressed as a man, it won't matter much to a degree.
Unless of course this is a sexism issue than anything else, where a woman dressed as man is seen as more acceptable than a man dressed as a woman. Like Li Yuchun from the female counterpart contest Super Girl.