Problematization of Gender Identity in the Social Interactions of Transgender Individuals in Tehran

In Iran, despite the legal recognition of gender reassignment, transgender individuals continue to encounter profound cultural, social, and structural constraints.Even after undergoing gender transition, they face persistent psychological pressures, social discrimination, and normative restrictions.Within this context, gender identity emerges as a central dimension of their social experience, profoundly shaping interpersonal and social relations under the influence of prevailing cultural norms and value systems.This study, conducted in 2024 in Tehran, aimed to explore the phenomenological dimensions of transgender individuals' social interactions.Employing a qualitative design informed by an interpretative phenomenological approach, data were collected through indepth individual interviews.A total of 23 interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method.The findings revealed that categories such as distortion of emotions, struggle against norms, role concealment, self-subordination, and false identity construction played prominent roles in participants' lived experiences, significantly shaping their everyday interactions.Overall, the results indicate that the social interactions of transgender individuals in Tehran follow multilayered and diverse patterns encompassing restrictions, adaptive strategies, and varied forms of identity representation.The analysis further suggests that a deeper understanding of transgender experiences within Iran's cultural, structural, and normative contexts-particularly through policies aimed at public education-may substantially alleviate the challenges faced by this population.