Transgender citizens of Iran are still discriminated against, according to multiple sources. Despite legal protection of transgender status and transgender people, there is little society-wide acceptance for trans individuals.
According to PinkNews, “Transgender people are still being beaten, attacked and disowned by their families in Iran in spite of the country legally accepting transgender people, a harrowing report has detailed.”
Violence is a regular fact of life for trans people in the Islamic Republic.
One trans person, named “Nahal,” told ABC News that she lives in fear, and no longer regularly sees her relatives. Trans people are reliably harassed in the street, and beatings are not unheard of.
According to Nahal, most trans Iranians only truly feel at ease within the domestic confines of home. The state has a progressive history on transgender issues, within the confines of the Middle East. A recent TV show, titled Blue Pink, considered the difficulties of trans Iranians.
Taking the long view, the status of the community has progressed by leaps and bounds over the past several years. It was three decades ago that the ruling authorities of the Iranian state passed a fatwa, or religious-legal edict, demanding acceptance of the trans community.
However, despite these strictures, oppression is a fact of existence for trans Iranians.
The government currently gives transgender people loans for reassignment surgery–a drop in the bucket considering the usual $7000-$12000 price tag, but an aid nonetheless.