Epistemic violence against trans* people in Iran
Unethical Medico-Legal Processes of Gender-Affirming Care
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3648436 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rebecca Sanaeikia (0009-0006-2158-2654, University of Rochester, corresponding author), Zara Saeidzadeh (0000-0002-1464-8874, Concordia University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-15 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-17 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Gender Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0958-9236 • E-ISSN: 1465-3869 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09589236.2025.2521698 |
| OpenAlex | W4411396166 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 36 |
In this paper, we investigate the ethical and epistemic implications of the medico-legal process of gender-affirming care (GAC) in Iran by focusing on Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa on gender-affirming surgery (GAS), as well as legal and medical policies and practices. Hence, we show how despite the legal provisions for gender transition in Iran, trans*Footnote1 individuals face systemic violence and dire living conditions – challenges that are intensified by the entanglement of the medical requirements with the processes of legal gender recognition. Employing Beauchamp and Childress’ (2013) principles of biomedical ethics and Kristie Dotson’s (2011) concept of epistemic violence, we show how the Iranian medico-legal process of gender transition fails to respect the ethical principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice for trans* individuals. Analyzing the legal and medical regulations and processes, we also highlight the ethical breaches that, through testimonial quieting and silencing, contribute to pervasive violence against trans* individuals. Hence, we argue that the process of GAC not only infringes trans* individuals’ rights but also subjects them to multiple forms of violence. To overcome the unethical medico-legal process of gender transition and to remedy epistemic violence against trans* individuals, we propose separating the medical process of GAC from the legal process of gender recognition
Criminology · Political science · Sociology · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Feminist Epistemology and Gender Studies · Law · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology
Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8
How Is This Paper Philosophy?
Young transgender individuals' lived experiences of facing life's challenges
Attitudes and Beliefs Towards Transgender Individuals Among Residents of Mashhad, Iran in 2020
A Sociological Account of the Growth of Principlism
Professing Selves
Talking with Iranian trans women
Discrimination, violence, and suicide in transgender women in Iran
Obligatory Technologies’ and the Autonomy of Patients in Biomedical Ethics
Do gender assessments prevent regret in transgender healthcare? A narrative review
Understanding Socio-Legal Complexities of Sex Change in Postrevolutionary Iran
Psychological symptoms and body image in individuals with gender dysphoria
Transsexuality in Contemporary Iran
Tracking Epistemic Violence, Tracking Practices of Silencing
The Epidemiology of Gender Dysphoria in Iran
The spectators ask, is it a boy or a girl? What is it
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |