Framing and/or deframing the sociocultural narratives of gender dysphoria with Islamic references

This chapter explores the differential terms and concepts of gender dysphoria from an Islamic perspective. A particular concentrated discussion argues that gender dysphoric individuals are different from the LGBTQ+ communities. They are inherently pathological and require clinical interventions. On the contrary, the LGBTQ+ communities are depicted as having a diverse spectrum with varying sexual orientations and gender identities based on self-proclamation. Though both groups may identify gender differences and claim to start as early as their assigned sex at birth experience, the former group are clinically diagnosed, while the latter is just making claims about “who I am, how I feel”. Making claims is easy but useless without specific directives evident for all to understand. Culture, upbringing, and personal identity may not necessarily align with clinical and pathological treatments. While gender dysphoric individuals suffer a diagnosed sociopsychological condition that gives them discomfort or distress regarding their gender identity, LGBTQ+ individuals primarily perceive their gender identity as deeply ingrained in their understanding of their inner sense of gender, which is not considered pathological. Thus, gender dysphoria is not universal, and not everyone experiences it. It is a diagnosed illness that causes anxiety and depression, which need clinical treatments. Based on framing and/or deframing the sociocultural narratives, this chapter attempts to make an awareness of gender dysphoria. It asserts that religion, social and environmental support, understanding, and affirmation of one’s gender illness play crucial roles in managing gender dysphoria.