ABSTRACT
Unlike other sexual minorities, transsexuals face a non-criminalizing disease-oriented albeit stigmatizing approach in Iran. This approach may be interpreted as persuading sexual minorities to define themselves in the existing framework of a traditional community. The estimated prevalence of transsexuality in Iran is at least 1/141,000. During the past 30 years a change in the sex ratio of transsexuals who file for sex reassignment surgery has happened; for the time being, the female-to-male transsexuals applying for SRS are outnumbering male-to-female transsexuals. After SRS surgeries, they still experience many difficulties in passing, adjusting to society, and achieving a desirable identity. The major complaints are the difficulty of going through the process of getting the license and the quality of the surgeries. This chapter tries to address the questions and challenges regarding transgenderism in Iran: How does the social context including patriarchal, heterosexist attitudes, and dichotomous approach to gender affect the presentations of transgenderism in Iran? In what ways is the present medicolegal approach shaping the phenomenon of transgenderism and how is it perceived by the society and trans persons? What are the effects of this approach on the other sexual minorities? What is the outcome of SRS in this community?
