The Iranian Society and the Issue of Gender Change

In Iran, despite the criminalization of homosexuality in the laws, gender change surgery is permitted. Many observers and activists for different gender groups attribute the high number of gender change surgeries in Iran primarily to the prohibition of homosexuality in the country. You may be a woman but for any reason have feelings for your same sex; outside of Iran, this does not necessarily mean you must change your gender through surgery. But why is gender change still a taboo in Iranian society despite being recognized by law? Why do those who have undergone this procedure feel the stigma and social shame? What problems do these citizens face? Shadi Amin, a gender equality activist, discusses this taboo with Dr. Mohammad Kazem Attari, a physician and researcher at Georgetown University in Washington. Dr. Attari explains that gender change surgery refers to surgical procedures or a series of actions that change a person's appearance from feminine to masculine or vice versa, primarily affecting sexual organs, but does not necessarily mean altering the individual's reproductive system. In Iran, if someone wishes to change their gender legally, forensic medicine must confirm that their physical gender is different from what they currently are, and they desire this surgery. However, many surgeries occur despite the individual's genetics possibly indicating otherwise, based on their desires. Amin emphasizes the importance of language in this discussion, noting that the perception of gender identity can significantly impact an individual's self-view and the path they wish to take. She highlights that many individuals entering the realm of gender change do not necessarily have genetic issues, and there is a distinction between transgender individuals and intersex individuals. The conversation reveals the complexities surrounding gender identity in Iran, including societal pressures and the medical community's role in enforcing gender norms. Amin argues that the freedom to undergo gender change in Iran often pushes individuals toward a gender identity that may not align with their true selves, leading to what she calls 'forced gender change surgeries.' This discussion raises critical questions about the efficacy and ethical implications of gender change procedures in Iran, especially in light of the lack of psychological support and the potential for negative outcomes post-surgery.