Born: 1989 (Yanqing district, Beijing)
Biography:
Li Tingting, known professionally as Li Maizi, is a prominent Chinese activist and campaigner for gender equality, sexual harassment awareness, and sexuality. She was born in Yanqing district, the rural outskirts of Beijing, in 1989. Li’s parents were forced to marry as a young couple after her mother became pregnant. Raised in a patriarchal household, Li witnessed domestic violence from her father during her upbringing.
Despite the adversity she faced, Li’s passion for education drove her to pursue knowledge. She moved to different places in Beijing to pursue her studies, demonstrating her determination from an early age. Li attended Shunyi No.10 School for high school, where she chose to study the liberal arts.
During her middle school years, Li discovered her lesbian identity. In high school, she entered into a relationship with her best friend from middle school but faced heartbreak when her girlfriend ended the relationship out of fear of being discovered. The rejection and subsequent mistreatment by a friend led Li to try to take her own life, an experience that profoundly shaped her outlook on life. In an act of empowerment and self-redefinition, she changed her name from Tingting, a feminine name, to Maizi, which means the rice plant in Mandarin. The new name symbolized freedom and authenticity to Li.
In 2008, Li began her university studies at Chang’an University in Xi’an, where she specialized in public administration. During her undergraduate years, Li’s activism career began to take shape. She started providing sexual education to her peers when a friend of hers became pregnant. In her second year of university, Li established the Lesbian Community Training Group, an organization that offered counseling services and support for university students. With the aim of promoting equal rights legislation and addressing discriminatory behavior, the group grew to include around 200 active volunteers by 2013.
Li’s activism extended beyond her university years. She became a vocal advocate for gender equality, sexual harassment awareness, and positive representation of sexuality in society. Through her advocacy work, Li fought against discrimination in both government and business, highlighting instances of inequality and challenging societal norms.
Li’s most notable involvement in activism occurred in 2015 on the eve of International Women’s Day. Alongside four other activists known as the Feminist Five, she was detained by the police for planning to protest against sexual harassment on public transport. This high-profile incident drew global attention to the issue of women’s rights in China and led to an international outcry in support of the arrested activists.
Throughout her career, Li Tingting has displayed unwavering dedication to advancing gender equality and empowering marginalized communities. Her activism has inspired countless individuals to speak out against injustice and strive for a more inclusive society.