Michael Bristow was stationed in Beijing as the Asia Pacific editor for the BBC World Service from 2005 to 2013. He has written a book called China in Drag: Travels with a Cross-Dresser, in which he recounts his time in China—his travels, his reporting, and his myriad experiences—through the prism of his relationship with his Chinese teacher. The Teacher—who insisted on anonymity—is a Beijinger. He’s a thoughtful and educated man, and also a transvestite. Yet his transvestism is just one aspect of a many-faceted individual whose life has mirrored incredible changes in Chinese society since the Cultural Revolution. On this episode, we talk to Michael about his teacher, and what he learned about China—and about cross-dressing—while traveling through the country with this fascinating man.
Recommendations:
- The Mala Market and the accompanying blog called Mala Project
- BBC Pidgin, West African news service
- A Whole Life, by Robert Seethaler (Picador, 2016)
- 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones