LGBT in Sharifistan
LGBT individuals in Sharifistan are not criminalised per se and transgender individuals are recognised as their self-identified gender, however both homophobia and transphobia are widespread. In addition, some laws discriminate against homosexuals.
| Status | legal |
|---|---|
| Gender identity | Individuals can change legal gender by registering as a new gender with a Qadi |
| Military | LGBT people can serve openly. |
| Discrimination protections | Unlawful but widespread |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | gay marriage legal since 1995 |
| Adoption | Yes |
Transgender people
Transgender people can give their new gender on official certificates and undertake sex-change operations since the Gender Identity Decree of 1987. Previously the Sharifistani government said "All Islamic scholars condemn this practice" but after Ayatollah Khomeini unexpectedly defended sex-change operations, they could no longer claim the scholars were unanimous. In 2016, transphobic hate speech became a crime, punishable by up to three years in prison or up to 10 lashes and/or a fine. Despite this certain transphobia is widespread in Sharifistani society.
Historical criminalisation of homosexuality
Despite being legalised in the Ottoman Empire in 1858, homosexuality was criminalised upon the establishment of Sharifistan (remaining illegal until 1995). Prosecutions were rare, however, due to the high evidentiary standard (four reliable witnesses who usually had to be Muslim or admitting to the act in public), the law was still said to have a "chilling" effect on the LGBT community as the punishment for homosexuality (if proven) was 100 lashes.
Gay marriage
Gay marriage in Sharifistan was legalised in 1995 at the same time as homosexuality itself. Some religious forbid it under their own legal systems, however.
Military service
Homosexuals of either gender can serve in the military since 2005. Despite this homophobic hate crime is widespread in the Sharifistani military with 90.5% of homosexual male soldiers suffering some form of violence or intimidation by other military personnel. Transgender individuals can also serve in the military provided they have had their sex-change operation and meet the requisite fitness requirements for their (new) gender. Trans-women are over-represented in the women's regiments of the Royal Sharifistani Army.
Opinions
Compared to 95.6% of the Sharifistani population as a whole, only 15.4% of gay Sharifistani men and 19.5% of lesbian Sharifistanis would say they are "proud Sharifistanis". The majority of bisexual male Sharifistanis (54.4%) do, however, describe themselves as "proud Sharifistanis". Patriotism amongst transgender Sharifistanis varies across age and class with 90.7% of upper and upper-middle class transgender Sharifistanis between 16 and 30 saying so and only 1.2% of middle-aged, working-class transgender Sharifistanis say this. This is due to transphobia across age and class.
Public opinion
62.5% of Sharifistanis "consider homosexuality to be a sin" whilst 64.4% consider it "unnatural". Most Sharifistanis oppose the criminalisation of homosexuality but 7.5% support criminalising it and 2.5% support it being a capital offence. Public opinion on trans-gender people depends on age and class with the least transphobic group being noblewomen under the age of 30 and the most transphobic being working-class men over 50.
Homophobic laws
In May 2021, "homosexual public displays of affection" were criminalised. The Islamic Religious Police are responsible for enforcing this controversial law.