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The Untold Story Of Egypt’s Transgender Community

July 12, 2015
Lack of education and understanding in medical system creates many challenges for Egypt’s transgender community

“I used to tell my dad I’m a boy… this is the first thing I ever remember”, said Bassem recounting his childhood. “I was an angry child back then, I didn’t understand why I was different”. Bassem’s skin is smooth, but hair has recently begun sprouting out of his chin. In actuality however, he is older than he looks. He is 24 years old and the new facial hair, which he is delighted about, is the result of hormone therapy recently started. Bassem is transgender. He identifies as a male, but was born female. BASSEM’S STORY Ever since realizing he had Gender Identity Disorder (GID), Bassem has been receiving professional psychiatric support. Since 2011, he has seen three different private psychiatrists on and off, but according to him they were expensive and “kinda useless.” However, since starting the new course of therapy at the beginning of this year, he has finally started attending regularly. “I didn’t want to come at first” he recalled, given his previous experiences. However much to his surprise and relief, this treatment turned out to be different and in his own words, “amazing!” The treatment Bassem…


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