Tehran is governed by federal Iran law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✖ Other punishment
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✖ Illegal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
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Public Opinion
Tehran is lacking public opinion data.
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Homosexual activity in Tehran is illegal (death penalty as punishment).
Current status
Since Feb 11, 1979
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
The punishment for homosexuality is currently death for men. (Unless if there is sex between a mature person and a minor; in which can the mature person will be killed while minor will receive up to 74 lashes. Same case applies for 2 minors.) For women, the punishment is up to 100 lashes. Women with a certain number of repeat offenses can become subject to the death penalty as well.
Same-sex marriage in Tehran is banned.
Current status
Since Feb 11, 1979
Banned
Definition of marriage used follows from the Islamic definition of a union between a man and women. The marriage is prohibited and same-sex sexual activity is punished as stated in the Penal code.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Tehran is other punishment.
Current status
Since 2013
Other punishment
Penal Code 2013, Art. 237 Other Homosexual Acts:
Article 237 provides that same-sex affection between men or between women other than ‘liwat’ or ‘tafkhiz’ (Anal Sex between men and frotting) , such as “kissing or touching as a result of lust”, is punishable with 31-74 lashes.
In Iran, there are no laws restricting to discussing LGBT topics in the Internet. However those who are accused of Political dissidence or plotting to " overthrow the Islamic Republic " could be subjected to the death penalty as well, of which charges are also included with Homosexuality . An estimated number from the Amnesty International reports is that more than 5,000 Gay men and Lesbians have been executed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Article 237 provides that same-sex affection between men or between women other than ‘liwat’ or ‘tafkhiz’ (Anal Sex between men and frotting) , such as “kissing or touching as a result of lust”, is punishable with 31-74 lashes.
In Iran, there are no laws restricting to discussing LGBT topics in the Internet. However those who are accused of Political dissidence or plotting to " overthrow the Islamic Republic " could be subjected to the death penalty as well, of which charges are also included with Homosexuality . An estimated number from the Amnesty International reports is that more than 5,000 Gay men and Lesbians have been executed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Gender-affirming care in Tehran is restricted.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1987
Restricted
The process of undergoing sex reassignment surgery is extensive and arduous, and is restricted to those over the age of 18. There further exists a requirement for adult trans individuals to provide formal certification of parental approval to be issued a permit for surgery.
Access to HRT likely requires similar steps.
Access to HRT likely requires similar steps.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Tehran is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Third gender here is not allowed.
LGBT discrimination in Tehran is no protections.
Current status
Since Oct 24, 1979
No protections
Formally, Iranian government believes every citizen to be heterosexual, stripping protection for LGBTQ+ community.
LGBT employment discrimination in Tehran is no protections.
Current status
Since Oct 24, 1979
No protections
Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, so no protections for Employment exist if you are an LGBT person.
LGBT housing discrimination in Tehran is no protections.
Current status
Since Oct 24, 1979
No protections
Homosexuality is illegal in Iran.
No protections exist.
No protections exist.
Same-sex adoption in Tehran is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
No laws in place for same sex couples.
Intersex infant surgery in Tehran is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Iran.
Serving openly in military in Tehran is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, therefore homosexuals serving openly would also be illegal.
Blood donations by MSMs in Tehran is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Homosexuality is illegal in Iran.
Conversion therapy in Tehran is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Widely preformed.
Equal age of consent in Tehran is n/a.
Current status
Since 1979
N/A
Homosexual sex is illegal. Also, sexual activity outside of marriage is illegal.
Legal Rights
6 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Tehran to help improve its accuracy.
Top Contributors
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Alternative names: Teheran