u/Longjumping-Mix-9351

It makes me wonder why a theocratic nation would allow gender affirming trans care. The pattern of allowing transgender care but suppressing homosexuality, is not unique to Iran. In certain southern Asian countries, the culture of transgender existed for a long time, while the homosexuality was a total outcast. This is apparently, a reverse script compared to the western countries where queer liberation started with homosexual rights.

However I must add that the process for gender affirmation in Iran for transgender individuals is quite rigorous. There will be thorough counselling, followed by an approval by a family court, and then proceeding to HRT and surgery (surgery is mandatory, so it increases the volume too). Iran offers a huge volume of transgender surgery every year, about 4000 per each (compared to the US, they offer about 2500 per year). Gender affirming care is quite cheap but suffers from quality healthcare issues. Another reason for such a huge volume of surgery is the fact that Iran gets a substantial number of patients from other Middle East countries.

TL;DR: Quite progressive compared to other conservative states, that are totally queerphobic. However it is heavily regulated by the administration, and allows affirmation under strict and invasive guidelines.

Source: Hindustan Times

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/students-should-refrain-from-taking-part-in-protests-by-tamil-nadu-cockroach-janta-party-tvk-vijay-cjp-youth-gen-z-101787120794800.html

Credits: @tortietoon

Credits: ibispaint

I have compiled some of the post from Instagram. I'm genderfluid myself within the enby umbrella, and I'll like to present some inputs in this regard.

1. Non-binary people face unique challenges with HRT because standard medical protocols are designed for binary transitions. Key hurdles include predicting the exact speed and mix of permanent physical changes, finding experienced providers who understand non-binary goals, and managing unstandardized "microdosing". If the physical body doesn't align with the internal self, the dysphoria won't improve with HRT.

2. There's an intuition to fit someone in a binary. I'm queer and different, but explaining that is a Sisyphean task. Try telling someone that you're Genderfluid online, and even if they don't want to ask it abruptly, they make try to guess it, and connect the dots. As if explaining your gender is not enough. If it's offline, it's more likely than not that you'll be served with the binary pronouns at your face.

The point of this post is not to belittle trans binary folks, I love you all and will continue to speak up for you all. It's important to understand that if my pronouns are neither he nor she, then please respect it, and do not try to guess my gender at birth. I've faced such blunt comments on dating sites that have directly asked about my genitals. Somewhere down the line, I realized that when people get to know that you're a man or a woman, they have a preconceived notion about your genitals (which can be incorrect). The point is that people expect certainty from your identity, and if you're different, it's a problem. From an intersectional perspective, being non binary or genderfluid brings more hardships along with erasure. If you're queer, please be united in these reforms.

Someone assigned as female at birth can have XY chromosomes. There can be two conditions: Swyer Syndrome (Have Uterus and Vagina, but Gonads are not developed) and AIS ( No Uterus). Without hormone therapy they risk severe Osteoporosis, and Incomplete Puberty. Ban on hormones, can result in bone fractures, fatal heart conditions, and cancer risks. There are restrictions if anyone wants to transition to Trans Man; the AIS syndrome heavily restricts such medical transition. Infertility is an unavoidable reality for such individuals too. It's important to note that while I'm using an XY assigned female example, the issue isn't much different for someone born XX assigned male at birth (there's one difference, cancer risk for them is quite low)

Credits: brenisfine

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbyPGlliV\_n/

Credits: @bottleneckloser (Sabre). Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbdWdxfNRHz/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DafeY5StT\_T/