Iran on Uránia

What the Ancient Greeks Wrote About Homosexuality in Persia – and How Much of It Is True

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0700

The modern concepts of “homosexuality” and “heterosexuality” took shape in European medical science by the end of the 19th century. They do not apply to ancient societies. In the ancient world, sexual relations were structured not by the sex of one’s partner but by social status, age, the distribution of power, and the distinction between active and passive roles.

The Hermitage's 'Amorous Couple': An Iranian Painting with Gender Ambiguity

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:45:37 +0700

The painting Amorous Couple is an anonymous early 19th-century Iranian work from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, inventory number VP-1156. It is painted in oil on canvas and measures 131.5 × 77 cm. Museum descriptions date it to the early 19th century.

Sex Reassignment in the Islamic Republic of Iran: A Comprehensive Overview

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:45:37 +0700

This article examines why sex reassignment surgery received religious justification in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It also tells the story of Maryam Khatoon Molkara, a person who played a notable role in gaining official recognition for transgender people.

Male Same-Sex Intercourse in Iran After the Islamic Revolution: Criminal Law and Prosecution Statistics

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:45:37 +0700

Before 1979, Iran had a predominantly secular criminal justice system. It was based on a general penal code adopted in the 1920s, modelled on French law.