Transgender issue in contemporary Iran: A theological reflection

Jaroslav Franc

doi:10.25167/FF/2017/203-224

Published: 2017-11-07

Vol. 7 (2017)

Transgender issue in contemporary Iran: A theological reflection

Jaroslav Franc

Family Forum

Section: Rodzina i związki partnerskie w europejskim krajobrazie

https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/2017/203-224

Abstract

The Islamic Republic of Iran is recognised as a theocratic political system with a touch of democratic elements. Since the last decade of the 20th century it is the only Islamic
republic with sophisticated system for sex-change operations and procedures related to this issues. This unique situation was developed on the ruling of Ayatollah Khomeini concerning the Fereydoon Molkara’s case. He was born as a man and later identified himself as a woman. Current legal regulation in Iran not just allows sex-change procedure, it is
recommended and even expected by the religious authorities that anyone who identifies himself with the other sex than he was born with would undertake the sex-change procedure.
The paper deals with the historical and theological context of the issue.

Keywords:

transgender, transsexuality, Iran, Shia, Islam, Christian theology

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Franc, J. (2017). Transgender issue in contemporary Iran: A theological reflection. Family Forum, 7, 203–224. https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/2017/203-224

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