Chrissy64_uk
16-04-2009, 09:07 PM
Talk examines sex changes in Iran
Hudson Lockett
Daily Texan Staff
Emily Kinsolving/The Daily Texan
Faegheh Shirazi, an associate Middle Eastern studies professor, discusses the history and current state of sex-change operations in Iran.
Iran is second only to Thailand in the number of sex-change operations performed each year, though the fact might not be common knowledge in the U.S.
Faegheh Shirazi, an associate professor in the department of Middle Eastern studies, delivered a lecture called "Transexuality: Sex Change Operations and its Legalization by the Islamic Republic of Iran" on Friday in Garrison Hall. The lecture detailed the history of a procedure rarely associated with Iran.
The Iranian government views the operation as a cure for people "trapped" in the body of the wrong sex.
In 1980, Ayatollah Khomeini, then-ruler of Iran, issued a fatwa, or religious opinion, allowing sex-change operations in the country.
In the absence of any mention of the sex-change operations in the Quran, the ruling established government policy from a religious perspective.
"During the time of the Prophet, we didnīt have this operation," Shirazi said.
Many details about the procedureīs status within Iranian society remain vague because of restrictions on academic studies by the Iranian government, Shirazi said.
Before carrying out a study, researchers must obtain official permission by submitting plans detailing their intended area of inquiry along with the questions they will ask.
"We need anthropological studies that really go deeper than the medical information they provide," Shirazi said.
Such studies are needed to find out if citizens seeking to avoid punishment for being homosexual are contributing to Iranīs high number of sex-change operations. Sodomy is punishable by death in Iran, and repeat offenders of lesbian sex are subject to 70 lashes, Shirazi said.
"Approval of sex change is not approval of homosexuality, and you have to make that very clear," Shirazi said.
There are three steps to getting approval for a sex change in Iran. First, applicants must provide medical proof that they require an operation. Next, psychologists and psychiatrists evaluate the application, and a facility authorized to perform the operation will issue a medical document stating their assessment.
The government often pays for operations partially or in full, a policy Shirazi said is attributable to the governmentīs religious perspective on the issue.
"Confused gender is too much to handle," Shirazi said. "Youīve got to fix the gender of a person to his or her preference."
Students in attendance said the talk shed light on a complicated issue.
"Itīs an interesting subject, especially how it operates under religious sanctions," said Julienne Bautista, an architecture graduate student.
Mahyar Entezari, a Middle Eastern studies graduate student, said the lecture highlighted an issue rarely discussed.
"They can see that these issues are deeper and more complex than what they perceive," Enezari said.
Hudson Lockett
Daily Texan Staff
Emily Kinsolving/The Daily Texan
Faegheh Shirazi, an associate Middle Eastern studies professor, discusses the history and current state of sex-change operations in Iran.
Iran is second only to Thailand in the number of sex-change operations performed each year, though the fact might not be common knowledge in the U.S.
Faegheh Shirazi, an associate professor in the department of Middle Eastern studies, delivered a lecture called "Transexuality: Sex Change Operations and its Legalization by the Islamic Republic of Iran" on Friday in Garrison Hall. The lecture detailed the history of a procedure rarely associated with Iran.
The Iranian government views the operation as a cure for people "trapped" in the body of the wrong sex.
In 1980, Ayatollah Khomeini, then-ruler of Iran, issued a fatwa, or religious opinion, allowing sex-change operations in the country.
In the absence of any mention of the sex-change operations in the Quran, the ruling established government policy from a religious perspective.
"During the time of the Prophet, we didnīt have this operation," Shirazi said.
Many details about the procedureīs status within Iranian society remain vague because of restrictions on academic studies by the Iranian government, Shirazi said.
Before carrying out a study, researchers must obtain official permission by submitting plans detailing their intended area of inquiry along with the questions they will ask.
"We need anthropological studies that really go deeper than the medical information they provide," Shirazi said.
Such studies are needed to find out if citizens seeking to avoid punishment for being homosexual are contributing to Iranīs high number of sex-change operations. Sodomy is punishable by death in Iran, and repeat offenders of lesbian sex are subject to 70 lashes, Shirazi said.
"Approval of sex change is not approval of homosexuality, and you have to make that very clear," Shirazi said.
There are three steps to getting approval for a sex change in Iran. First, applicants must provide medical proof that they require an operation. Next, psychologists and psychiatrists evaluate the application, and a facility authorized to perform the operation will issue a medical document stating their assessment.
The government often pays for operations partially or in full, a policy Shirazi said is attributable to the governmentīs religious perspective on the issue.
"Confused gender is too much to handle," Shirazi said. "Youīve got to fix the gender of a person to his or her preference."
Students in attendance said the talk shed light on a complicated issue.
"Itīs an interesting subject, especially how it operates under religious sanctions," said Julienne Bautista, an architecture graduate student.
Mahyar Entezari, a Middle Eastern studies graduate student, said the lecture highlighted an issue rarely discussed.
"They can see that these issues are deeper and more complex than what they perceive," Enezari said.