Transgender
Transgender is a term that refers to an individual whose gender identity or expression is different from the expected cultural norm based on their sex assigned at birth.[1][2] In the United States an estimated 1.4% of youth and 0.5% of adults identify as transgender.[3] Some transgender individuals will experience psychological distress as a result of the difference between their identity and their sex assigned at birth, which is referred to as gender dysphoria.[4] Some transgender individuals will seek social, legal, medical or surgical changes to meet their needs. These forms of expression are not indications of a mental disorder[4] and gender dysphoria is not classified as a mental illness.[5][6]
The Bahá’í writings do not provide guidance specific to gender identity or expression, but do provide general guidance that ones dress and appearance should be moderate[7] and individuals should not allow themselves to become play things of the ignorant.[8] The Bahá’í writings do not discuss legal or surgical changes to ones sex, but the Universal House of Justice has written several letters on this topic under the title of transsexuality.[9] The House of Justice has left the decision concerning changes of sex to the individual and their medical provider. Most recently, and in light of the changing social perceptions concerning gender the House of Justice offered guidance about how a Bahá’í who was considering a change of sex may want to approach the question.[10]
Guidance concerning gender transitions[edit]
The House of Justice writes that questions related to gender are challenging due to current social, psychological, and political forces which shape thought and largely ignore the spiritual purpose of ones life. They note that these forces affect scientific and medical communities, and they therefore suggest that individuals who may be considering a gender transition think about the following spiritual factors bearing on such a decision:
- These relate to such matters as the purpose of life,
- the twofold nature of human beings,
- the soul’s lack of gender,
- and the role of tests in an individual’s spiritual development.
The House of Justice warns individuals to avoid being "swayed by contemporary notions that regard gender as something to be altered as a matter of personal preference or intuition", and also advises individuals to consider the following questions, in addition to the relevant medical factors:
- How best may one fulfill the spiritual purpose of life?
- Will one’s spiritual happiness result from the material solution of a sex change, or might one be pursuing a chimera, which will result in a new set of problems?
- Is it possible to view the challenge of gender identity as a test that one can come to grips with and manage?
- What will be the impact of such a decision on one’s family members, including any spouse or children?[10]
Ultimately, the House notes, "Because of the deeply personal nature of these questions, the decision whether to pursue a sex change can only be made by the individual, preferably after consulting with family members, and is not a matter on which Bahá’í institutions would offer specific advice."
Bahá’í attitude towards those who are transgender[edit]
For administrative purposes, a transgender individual who has undergone the necessary legal changes is recognized as their preferred gender, and they adopt all of the "spiritual, moral, and legal prerogatives and obligations relevant to that sex". The House writes that "marriage to a person of the opposite sex would be permissible".[10] The House states however that the Bahá’í writings affirm that there are only two sexes, male and female and this view conflicts with theories that divide gender in to other types. The House writes "Of course, the Bahá’í community does not seek to impose its values on others and does not pass judgement on others on the basis of its own moral standards".[10]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People" (PDF). American Psychologist. 70 (9): 832–864. December 2015.
- ↑ "Health insurance coverage for genderaffirming care of transgender patients" (PDF). American Medical Association. March 2019.
- ↑ Herman, Jody L.; Flores, Andrew R.; O'Neill, Kathryn K. (2016). "How Many Adults Identify as Transgender in the United States?". Williams Inst., UCLA Sch. of Law.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "What is Gender Dysphoria?". American Psychiatric Association. August 2022.
- ↑ "Transgender: Ensuring Mental Health". Cleveland Clinic. 10 October 2021.
- ↑ "Gender dysphoria". National Health Service (NHS). 28 May 2020.
- ↑ Effendi, Shoghi. The Advent of Divine Justice. Bahá’í World Center.
- ↑ Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í World Center.
- ↑ Universal House of Justice (2002). "Transsexuality and Sex-Change Operations". bahai-library.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Universal House of Justice (4 February 2021). "Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice on Transsexuality". bahai-library.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.