One of my favorite bits of trivia is that Iran is actually pretty trans-affirming…for a certain definition of affirming.

It all stems back to Khomenei, the first Supreme Leader and founding father of the Iranian Revolution. At some point, a trans woman came to him and basically said, “I’m a devout Muslim, God made me a woman born in a man’s body. I just want to live as a devout Muslim woman in peace, can you please give your blessing to this?”

And for whatever reason, he went along with it. And because he was basically the Iranian George Washington, once he set the precedent, it was set. The Iranian government recognizes trans people, grants them IDs that match their gender, and even pays for trans healthcare under their state insurance. In many ways, the Iranian government is more trans-affirming than the US government, especially under the Trump Regime.

Though…like I said, it’s a certain definition of affirming. It’s sort of a funhouse mirror version of what folks in the west would consider trans-affirming. They’ll support your transition, but only if you agree to rigidly and absolutely conform to the gender roles of the gender you’re transitioning to. All their regular gender laws still apply; they just allow you to move from one set of strict restrictions to the other.

Are you a trans woman? Well you DAMN WELL better be attracted to guy. And it’s “fine, you’re a woman, here’s your mandatory hijab.” Are you at trans man who wants to sleep with men? Straight to jail with you! And if you’re a trans guy, you have to take testosterone, and if you’re able to grow a beard, they’re mandatory. Oh, and if you’re nonbinary or anything other than a binary trans woman/man, then you can just go straight to Hell.

It’s a bizarre funhouse mirror version of trans acceptance. I’m reminded of the old Simpson’s episode when Mr. Burns try to do good and open a recycling plant, but he somehow ends up being even more evil.