A story of resilience and identity sparks fascination across China
A 59-year-old woman from southwestern China with the rare condition of having two reproductive systems has captivated social media in mainland China. According to the South China Morning Post, the woman, who is officially recognized as female on her documents, has given birth to two sons—one from a marriage to a man and another from a partnership with a woman. This extraordinary journey has led her to be both a “mother” and a “father” to her children.
Early life and unconventional identity
Growing up in a village in Bishan County, Liu, as she is identified in reports, exhibited nonconforming preferences from an early age. She favored short hair and male clothing, often being mistaken for a boy. Liu even faced instances of confusion at school, with others insisting she was using the wrong restroom.
Liu’s life took a dramatic turn at 18 when she married a man named Tang. The couple welcomed a son within a year. However, Liu’s body soon began undergoing profound changes. A surge of androgenic hormones led to the development of male characteristics, including a beard, reduced breast size, and the appearance of male reproductive organs. This transformation ultimately strained her marriage, leading to divorce.
Following her divorce, Liu made the difficult decision to leave her son with his father and move to another country. There, she found work in a shoe factory and began living as a man. During this time, she met a female colleague, Zhou, who developed feelings for her. Initially hesitant due to her unique physical condition, Liu eventually reciprocated Zhou’s affection thanks to her persistence and sincerity.
Overcoming legal and societal challenges
Despite their love, the couple faced a significant legal hurdle: Liu’s ID card identified her as female, and same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in China. To navigate this, Liu turned to her ex-husband Tang with an unconventional proposal. She suggested that Tang legally marry Zhou, enabling their union to be formalized, while Liu and Zhou continued to live together as a couple. In return, Liu committed to increasing financial support for their son. Tang agreed to the arrangement.
Under this agreement, Tang and Zhou married, while Liu and Zhou remained partners. In the early 2000s, Zhou gave birth to a baby boy, further enriching their unconventional family dynamic.
A family like no other
Liu’s extraordinary journey has resulted in a family where one son calls her “mum” and the other calls her “dad.” Her story first gained widespread attention in 2005 when a local newspaper reported it, sparking nationwide interest. While some medical professionals offered free check-ups to better understand her condition, Liu declined the offers.
Living with dual identities
Despite identifying as male, Liu has not undergone gender reassignment surgery due to the prohibitive costs. Her official ID card continues to list her as female, adding another layer of complexity to her identity.
Liu’s remarkable story has ignited discussions across Chinese social media platforms. One user commented, “My goodness, this is unbelievable.” Another noted, “She has such a rich life experience. Being a woman and then a man, a mother and then a father.”
Liu’s life story stands as a testament to resilience and the fluidity of identity, sparking both admiration and curiosity in equal measure.
