"Be Like Others" (original title Transexualité en Iran), a 2008 documentary by Iranian-American filmmaker Tanaz Eshaghian, presents a unique and unsettling exploration of the lives of transsexual individuals in Iran. Set against the backdrop of a conservative, religious, and politically repressive society, the film sheds light on the paradoxical situation in which Iran finds itself: while homosexuality is criminalized and punishable by death, sex reassignment surgeries (SRS) are not only legal but even encouraged under certain circumstances.
Through the personal stories of trans individuals undergoing sex reassignment procedures at a clinic in Tehran, the documentary reveals a society struggling with deeply entrenched gender norms, religious edicts, and the complexities of identity in a restrictive political environment. Be Like Others is both a poignant look at the lives of these individuals and a critical examination of the legal and religious factors that shape their experiences. The legal situation regarding transgender people in Iran is shaped by a remarkable and, for many, counterintuitive fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1983. Khomeini, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, declared that sex reassignment surgery could be permitted for individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
This fatwa was rooted in his interpretation of Islamic law, which allowed for gender transition in cases where an individual felt trapped in the wrong body. Khomeini's decision was groundbreaking, as it represented the first time in modern history that an Islamic state legally recognized sex reassignment surgery. His fatwa was not simply a statement of personal belief; it formed the basis for official state policy. The Iranian government, under the guidance of religious authorities, provided legal avenues for transgender people to undergo surgery, with the hope that it would relieve their psychological suffering and bring them closer to their true selves. In the documentary, several individuals share their personal stories of undergoing surgery. We see the emotional toll that living in the "wrong" body can take on a person, as well as the hope and anguish involved in making the decision to undergo such a life-altering procedure. However, it also reveals the complexity of living as a transgender person in a society that does not necessarily accept their new gender identity but rather tolerates their transition as a kind of religious accommodation.
.jpg)
While the fatwa permitting sex reassignment surgery may seem progressive to many, it carries its own set of contradictions and unintended consequences. The documentary reveals that many Iranians seeking gender-affirming surgery do so not only because they feel their gender identity is misaligned with their biological sex, but also because they are running away from the harsh realities of homosexuality being punishable by law. In Iran, homosexuality is a criminal offense, punishable by flogging, imprisonment, or, in extreme cases, the death penalty. As a result, some individuals who identify as gay or lesbian undergo sex reassignment surgeries in order to avoid persecution. This phenomenon, often described as a "gender escape" from the repression of same-sex relationships, highlights a disturbing dynamic: in a society where LGBTQ+ rights are severely restricted, gender change becomes a viable but tragic means for survival. The film highlights the emotional conflict many individuals face when they choose to transition - not because they feel they were born in the wrong body, but because their sexual orientation does not align with the rigid expectations of Iranian society. It is a harsh commentary on the lack of acceptance for non-heteronormative identities, and the extremes some people are forced to endure in order to live in relative peace.
.jpg)
The documentary introduces us to Dr. Bahram Mir-Jalali, a prominent figure in Iran’s medical field who runs the Mirdamad Surgical Centre, one of Tehran’s leading clinics for sex reassignment surgery. As the film takes us into the surgical and psychological evaluation process, we learn about the rigorous medical protocols that Iranian doctors follow in order to ensure that patients are genuinely transgender, and not simply seeking surgery as a way of escaping their sexual orientation. The process for obtaining sex reassignment surgery in Iran is a multi-step procedure. First, individuals must undergo extensive psychological evaluations to ensure that they meet the criteria for gender dysphoria, a diagnosis where a person experiences significant distress due to the incongruity between their assigned gender at birth and their experienced gender. After that, patients are put on a regimen of hormone therapy to begin the process of physical transition. If the treatment is successful, the person may proceed to surgery, which can include breast implants, genital reconstruction, and other surgical procedures that will help the individual conform to their desired gender. While the surgery itself may be life-changing for some, it is also fraught with complications. Many individuals in the film speak about the intense emotional and physical toll of transitioning, including societal rejection, family estrangement, and the psychological effects of trying to live up to gender expectations. In one poignant moment, a patient expresses his deep sorrow for having undergone surgery not because he truly wanted to be a woman, but because he felt there was no other way to live authentically in a society where homosexuality is forbidden.
.jpg)
The fatwa issued by Khomeini represents an intriguing intersection of religious belief and transgender rights. While traditional Islamic teachings are often viewed as conservative or even hostile to gender nonconformity, the case of transgender individuals in Iran offers a more nuanced perspective. Islamic views on gender are complex and diverse, and different interpretations of the Quran and Hadiths can lead to varying conclusions about issues like transgenderism. As Eshaghian's documentary reveals, Khomeini's fatwa is based on the idea that gender identity is a deeply felt, innate condition, and that transitioning to the gender with which one identifies is permissible in Islam. This contrasts with the attitudes toward homosexuality, which is seen as a sin and an affront to Islamic teachings. However, the religious framework that permits sex reassignment surgery does not extend to a broader acceptance of gender diversity. Transgender individuals, especially those who transition for reasons related to sexual orientation rather than gender identity, face significant stigma. Their lives are marked by both religious acceptance of their transition (as a way to "correct" their bodies) and social exclusion due to the broader cultural and legal context that criminalizes LGBTQ+ behavior. The documentary makes it clear that, despite the legal status of sex reassignment surgery, Iranian society's view of transgender people is complicated. The laws are structured to provide legal avenues for surgery, but the society at large still struggles with the acceptance of these individuals as valid members of the gender they transition to.
Tanaz Eshaghian’s Be Like Others is a compelling and challenging documentary that explores the lives of transgender individuals in Iran. By focusing on personal stories and the broader social, medical, and religious contexts that shape these experiences, the film invites audiences to question the definitions of gender, identity, and freedom in a society that is both conservative and paradoxically progressive on certain issues. The film sheds light on the human cost of a society where rigid gender norms and harsh laws create a web of contradictions that people must navigate to survive. It also emphasizes the challenges faced by transgender people in Iran who, despite legal recognition of their surgeries, continue to face social stigma, medical complications, and family rejection. Ultimately, Be Like Others is not just a film about gender transition but a meditation on the power of law, religion, and society in shaping personal identities. The story of transgender Iranians is one of resilience, survival, and the unrelenting quest for self-determination in the face of overwhelming societal pressures.
Image credits: YouTube
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment