T03-O-08 Social stigma, homosexuality and transsexuality in Iran - 27/06/08
Résumé |
In Iran, gay male sex carries the death penalty, but hundreds of people are having their sex changed legally, bolstered by the blessings of members of the ruling Shiite clergy. Iranians with the inclination, means and connections could obtain the necessary medical treatment and new identity documents. To obtain legal permission for sex-change operations and new birth certificates, applicants must provide medical proof of gender-identity disorder. There are now several clinics staffed by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists who are authorized to provide a clinical assessment of the patients requesting a sex change operation. The objective of this study was to examine the main sources and characteristics of social stigma in this population; to examine the difference in perceived social stigma between homosexuals transsexuals, and to examine the associations among stigma, mental health and HIV risk behaviors.
The sample included 70 homosexuals and transsexuals selected through snowball sampling with Initial recruits selected from a sexual disorder clinic. To our knowledge this is the first study of its kind among this population. The self-administered interviews included measures of health status and demographics, history of hormone use and sex reassignment surgery, LGBT stigma, perceived discrimination, visibility, and acceptability, religiosity, coping mechanism, and social support, Internalized homophobia, HIV risk-taking behaviors and mental health: SCL-90 and self-esteem.
Preliminary analysis demonstrates a significant level of homophobia and systematic and institutionalized discrimination against LGBT populations in Iran. We are currently analyzing the relationship among perceived social stigma, mental health and HIV risk behaviors.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Vol 17 - N° S1
P. 69 - janvier-mars 2008 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.