China Panel Hears First Transgender Discrimination Case

BEIJING -- A Chinese arbitration panel has held a hearing in what is believed to be the country's first transgender employment discrimination case.

Lawyer Huang Sha said Monday he was told a ruling would be issued later in the case of his client, who has identified himself only as Mr. C.

C sued for compensation and an apology after being fired from his job at a medical services company because, although born a woman, he dressed like a man.

The case comes amid growing awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in China, where society and the government have generally frowned on non-traditional expressions of gender and sexuality.

On Wednesday, a court in the central city of Changsha is scheduled to hold a hearing in the country's first same-sex marriage case.