Lived Religious and Spiritual Experiences of Transgender People: A Qualitative Research in Iran

Gender dysphoria is dissatisfaction with biological sex. Since in some Muslim societies this trait is often regarded as a taboo subject, a lack of information about the experiences of transgender people with religious and spiritual values is noticed in those communities. This qualitative and phenomenological research was aimed to develop a deeper understanding of the religious and spiritual experiences of transgender individuals living in Islamic society, including their feelings, their goals, and whether they have any regrets about their beliefs. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in a city in the south of Iran. Ten people, including four transmasculine and six transfeminine aged 17 to 38, were recruited through purposive sampling. The data were collected using in-depth and semi-structured interviews and analyzed iteratively using theoretical coding based on the phenomenological approach. The main concepts obtained from the data classified into one central theme entitled “Pronounced tendency to spirituality and religion” and four general categories, including Turning to faith for healing, Wholehearted acceptance, Mixed blessing, and Eternal peace. The religious and spiritual experiences of transgender people living with Islamic ethics cover a wide range of principles. The participants in the study cited the feelings of insecurity and fear of loneliness as their main reasons for engrossing in the dominant religion and spirituality. It can be concluded that in addition to psychological and physical dimensions, the religious-spiritual dimension of transgender people’s lives must be carefully considered ensuring their individual and social health.