Carnal Knowledge of China.docVIP

Carnal Knowledge of China China’s relationship with sex has long been tumultuous and uneasy―from the awkward， icy， conjugal obligation of times past to the hot， sweaty， passionate mess of modern day. As such， sex is an ever-evolving characteristic of the modern Middle Kingdom， raising questions about the past and future of China’s sexual revolution. Uncomfortable issues about gender， politics， and the law are part and parcel of conversations about sex， and China is no exception. With a history and culture mired in conservatism， issues of sexuality and gender are often forced into moral imperatives. With that in mind， we here at The World of Chinese have done our level best to bring you some of the most engaging and pressing issues of modern sexuality in China. “Sex and Law in China” （see page 28） takes a look at how the Criminal Law of China has bled over into people’s sex lives. From group sex to prostitution， the vague legalities of sex in China can lead to handcuffs―and not in a good way. While China has seen its society change beyond recognition， the nation’s laws regarding sex have remained stagnant， clumsily lumped in with societal hooliganism and morality. But， more and more Chinese people are wondering what business the local authorities really have in the bedrooms of the nation. Carlos Ottery has his eyes fi rmly set on the “T” of the LGBT community. Gender roles are rigidly fi xed in China， and this signifi cant section of China’s population are looking for a voice， a way to break down the barriers of a culture that have held them back for decades. Being ostracized is part of being transgender in China； the stories of discrimination， fear， and loss are all too familiar， but the transgender population is getting bolder―right alongside those who just want to be left alone. Is China ready for change？ See for yourself in “Crossing the Gender Lines” （see page 36）. Prostitution has ugly connotations today―seedy backrooms， drugs， disease. But this was not always