Transsexuality has long been a taboo subject in China, and openly transgender people have been subjected to widespread discrimination. However, attitudes have started to change, as Yang Wanli reports.

When Li Yinhe, China's first female sex sociologist, unveiled her female-to-male transsexual partner of 17 years on her blog on Thursday, the post attracted public attention to transgender people, a group that has been largely unknown and unacknowledged.

As the widow of Wang Xiaobo, an outspoken novelist and essayist who died in 1997, the 62-year-old is a well-known figure, and the nationwide discussion prompted by her declaration provided many people with an introduction to concepts such as gender identity, sexual orientation and transgender issues.