The Country of Iran Subsidizes Gender Reassignment Surgery for People with Gender Dysphoria
Iran: The Islamic Republic’s Surprising Embrace of Transgender Rights
Iran is an unlikely global leader when it comes to transgender rights. As the only Islamic country that officially recognizes and subsidizes sex reassignment surgery (SRS), Iran presents a complex and sometimes contradictory picture on LGBTQ+ issues.
Fatwa Legalizes and Subsidizes SRS
The story begins in the 1980s, after the Islamic Revolution. Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader, issued a fatwa (religious decree) recognizing the legitimacy of gender reassignment surgery. This was a remarkable move, as classical Islamic thought had traditionally viewed gender as strictly binary — male or female.
Khomeini’s fatwa acknowledged that in some cases, a person’s outward appearance may not match their inner gender identity. The government subsequently began providing financial assistance to cover the costs of hormone therapy and gender…