As Repression Lifts, More Iranians Change Their Sex(Iranian transexuals, what will Al Qaeda do!)

NY Times ^ | 8/2/04 | NAZILA FATHI

[finnman69]

TEHRAN, Aug. 1 - Everything about Amir appears masculine: his broad chest, muscled arms, the dark full beard and deep voice. But, in fact, Amir was a woman until four years ago, when, at the age of 25, he underwent the first of a series of operations that would change his life.

Since then he has had 20 surgical procedures and expects another 4. And Amir, who as a woman was married twice to men - his second husband helped with the transition and remains a good friend - is now engaged to marry a woman.

"I love my life and I'm happy, as long as no one knows about my past identity," said Amir, who asked that his full name not be published. "No one has been more helpful than the judge, who was a cleric and issued the permit for my operation."

After decades of repression, the Islamic government is recognizing that some people want to change their sex, and allowing them to have operations and obtain new birth certificates.

Maryam Hatoon Molkara, who was formerly a man known as Fereydoon, was an early campaigner for the rights of transsexuals in Iran.

[Happygal]

I had to read it a couple of times myself to figure out what 'IT' had done.

While I can get the Lorena Bobbit op, having the ol' trousersnake added leaves me....well...um....it just leaves me! *L*

[elhombrelibre]

My thoughts too. NYT sees the world and all its suffering and chooses to focus on the most odd ball things that apparently are far more significant than all the big issues. NYT is really just a weirdo paper now, little better than the Enquirer or News of the World. It's just a tad bit more polished.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

My question would be, should we call an Iranian male who has undergone this operation a depleted Iranian or a deleted Iranian?

[StriperSniper]

why in God's names does the NYT have to hunt down and dig up a subject like this?

Because of the gay marriage issue. By highlighting something arguably more radical being 'blessed' in repressive Iran, it makes the Republicans seem barbaric in comparison. It is just a setup for conversations on the cocktail party circuit.

[OESY]

Trapped inside the body of a Newspaper of Record, the New York Times leads the way for Democrats protesting cultural norms. Call their "Values Revolution."