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“TS in Iran”, 25 Feb on SBS2 at 8:30pm
For those who missed it last time, SBS is repeating this documentary tonight (Friday) at 8:30pm on SBS2.
Transsexual In Iran
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country with strict social mores and traditional values, sex-change operations are legal, yet homosexuality is still punishable by death. This documentary shows that a generation of young Iranian gay men are making a radical choice to gain acceptance. (From the US, in Farsi and English, English subtitles) (Documentary) (Rpt) PG CC -
2 Replies
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probably showing my age, but surely, the program has nothing to do with this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ7NVjZ-Eyg
seriously, gays have a tough life over there. fine (well, sort of) if you are trans though. not so fine if you just wanna cross dress. still, not many countries will have government part contributed funding gender reassignment surgery. shows you how unenlightened ours is. i would suggest that in the minds of many of us, the choice would be simple. like all governments, however, i suspect there is lack of an educational program about trans issues, and media portrayal is likely to be poor and negligible. i guess many people dismiss the iranian regime for it’s anti-west attitudes, islamic based legal system, and seemingly barbaric criminal justice system but it’s not that simple, is it?
ironically, for those who become women through this process, their outlook in life is rather grim. the plight of women under iranian islamic values is not that great:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_system_of_Iran#Gender_inequality
this is a touching film. thanks for the reminder.
see also: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7259057.stm
and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexuality_in_Iran
and: http://documentaryheaven.com/transsexual-in-iran/
virginia xo
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I watched this programme and I got the impression that although sex reassignment surgery in Iran is legal, it’s being used to force homosexual men into unwanted operations just so they can escape persecution for their ‘aberration’.
Ali clearly didn’t want the operation, but had it, only so he could exist in society without being harassed. He was not a true transsexual; in fact I think he was an effeminate homosexual- a far cry from a trangender person. I think he would mourn the loss of his male parts till the end of his days. But I guess marginally better than the death penalty.
Anoosh, on the other hand, was really transgendered , and his story had a relatively happy ending.
I think the clerics’ view is, “if these people want to have sex with men, make them into women”. Not the benevolent attitude we may naiively think, but a cruel punishment.
Sure, it’s fine for those who truly believe that they are women trapped in men’s bodies, but for the transvestites, gays and whatever orientations ther may be that are different from the norm, its a tragedy.
All I can say now is,”Thank God I don’t live in Iran”
