In general, aging and increasing age is a challenging phenomenon. However, living as an elderly person can bring other challenges in addition to the usual challenges faced by older individuals. In a society where sexual and gender minorities are faced with systematic oppression and pressure from the Islamic Republic, and where being in a same-sex relationship can result in punishments ranging from flogging to execution, imagine an elderly person who not only has to endure age-related discrimination, but also faces discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

According to the latest population census in 2016, the elderly population makes up more than 9.3% of Iran’s total population and it is predicted that by 2021, the number of elderly people in Iran will reach over 26 million, which is equivalent to 25% of the total population. (1)

Based on statistics published by the World Health Organization, the LGBT community makes up approximately 7-10% of the population in each country. Therefore, it can

The challenges of the elderly and their struggles with sexual orientation and gender identity.

As individuals age, they are faced with the phenomenon of discrimination based on their age. One of these challenges is the ability of individuals to meet their needs and their exclusion from various affairs. Elderly individuals, who usually become aware of their sexual orientation and gender identity at an older age or make the decision to express it, often have children, grandchildren, “brides” and “grooms” and are generally part of a complete family.

In these circumstances, is it possible to develop this self-awareness?

In a situation where the Islamic Republic has criminalized consensual sexual relations between two adults, information and awareness in this area is hindered by severe censorship and misinformation based on pathologizing different sexual orientations and medicalizing the identity of transgender individuals. This has led to a lack of awareness in society, especially among sexual and gender minorities, and individuals may not come to understand this aspect of themselves until later in life when they are faced with these conditions.
Due to this misinformation, discussing different sexual orientations can have irreparable consequences for the individual, as elderly individuals often require care, security, and peace in their lives and their dignity must be preserved. This makes it very difficult for them to be open about their identity and potentially lose their family and safe space.
Forced marriages and imposition of heteronormative lifestyles on individuals, influenced by the highly patriarchal, heteronormative, and cisgender-centric system in the Islamic Republic, also deprive sexual and gender minorities of the power to choose

Acceptance and treatment by children, and expressing it to spouse and children, are among the challenges that affect the elderly. Lack of security and the need for care and housing are factors that cause these individuals to refrain from expressing their feelings and choices.

In conclusion, considering the general conditions of the elderly in Iran who are deprived of their basic rights such as livelihood, retirement benefits, and access to healthcare, we can conclude that discrimination and risks arising from the expression and manifestation of sexual orientation and gender identity, which threaten individuals, are inhibiting factors for the elderly to live according to their sexual and emotional desires. This issue, given the current political and social conditions in Iran and the increasing number of elderly in the LGBTQ+ community, can become a serious social problem because there is no fundamental concern for considering these individuals and finding solutions and support for their future problems.

1 – Notes:
1 – Online Economy – News Code: 384792