Li Shiu Tong

Li Shiu Tong

Name	Li Shiu Tong
Birth name
Birth date	1907
Birth place	Hong Kong
Death date	1993
Death place	Vancouver, Canada
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician, Scholar
Years active
Organization
Known for	Partner of Magnus Hirschfeld, Contributions to Sexology
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Li Shiu Tong (1907–1993) was a Chinese physician and scholar, known for his work in the field of sexology and his association with the German sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld. He played a significant role in the development of early 20th-century sexology and was involved in the activities of the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin.

Early Life and Education

Li Shiu Tong was born in 1907 in Hong Kong. He pursued his medical education in Europe, where he became deeply interested in the emerging field of sexology. His academic journey led him to Germany, where he met and became the partner of Magnus Hirschfeld, a pioneering figure in the study of human sexuality.

Association with Magnus Hirschfeld

Li Shiu Tong's relationship with Magnus Hirschfeld was both personal and professional. Hirschfeld, who was a leading advocate for sexual reform and the rights of homosexuals, found in Li a devoted partner and collaborator. Together, they worked at the Institute for Sexual Science, which Hirschfeld founded in 1919 in Berlin. The institute was a hub for research and advocacy on sexual minorities and played a crucial role in the early gay rights movement.

Contributions to Sexology

Li Shiu Tong contributed to the field of sexology through his research and writings. Although much of his work was overshadowed by the more prominent figures of the time, his insights into the cultural and social aspects of sexuality were valuable. He was particularly interested in the intersection of Eastern and Western perspectives on sexuality, which he explored in his writings.

Later Life and Legacy

After the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, the Institute for Sexual Science was destroyed, and Li Shiu Tong, along with Hirschfeld, fled the country. Li eventually settled in Vancouver, Canada, where he continued his scholarly pursuits until his death in 1993.

Li Shiu Tong's legacy is preserved through his contributions to the understanding of human sexuality and his role in the early sexology movement. His life and work remain a testament to the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and the importance of advocacy in the face of adversity.

Also see

• Magnus Hirschfeld
• Institute for Sexual Science
• Sexology
• LGBT history in Germany