Parents...

I think that the fight that Transpeople are experiencing right now is kind of a "one step forward, two steps back" sort of deal. First (the "one step forward), as Alex (who has a blog called Across and Beyond http://www.acrossandbeyond.blogspot.com for those who don't know (meaning, if you're not Peterson or Alex reading this) posted a while ago (at this link: http://acrossandbeyond.blogspot.com/2006/10/i-just-read-todays-news-and-fealt.html), a Transwoman won the title of Miss International Queen 2006. That's terrific! It's a monumental step for the Trans. community! Hurrah! Woot! Go Team!

Then an ignorant set of parents from China has to step right in and wreck all the happiness (of course, the unavoidable "two steps backward"):

Parents to deal with sex change
(China Daily)
Updated 2006-11-14 08:42

The parents of a Transsexual from Fujian Province are having difficulty accepting that their son is now a daughter after undergoing a sex-change operation. They happened upon an international beauty competition on TV in September and were stunned to see a woman who looked identical to their son accepting an award. They immediately called their son who they thought was working in Guangdong Province who confirmed the TV appearance. The two broke into the hospital where the procedure took place, asking for 3.6 million yuan (US$456,852) in compensation. A final settlement is being negotiated. (Southeast Express)

I have some questions about this that maybe some other people are asking, too:

• Were the parents of the Transwoman under the impression that they could legally just barge into that hospital, demand $3.6 million yuan, and have the money handed to them without some kind of confrontation or consequence?
• What would/will the parents having the money from the child prove or emotionally settle for them?
• Under what circumstances (if any at all) could the parents of this Transwoman win the settlement against the hospital?
• What does the Transwoman herself have to say about all of this controversy?

Here's the link to that article if you wish to see it in its original format: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-11/14/content_732305.htm