Why Are These Iranian Men Wearing Women's Clothing?

We often hear the stories about how backwards countries like Iran are, but a new campaign by Kurdish men and women in Iran proves that there are people working break down gender barriers every day all over the world. The campaign is called “Kurd Men for Equality.” It began after a man was convicted on April 15 for domestic abuse. His sentence, however was the real problem. The judge ordered him to wear women’s clothing to publicly humiliate him. 

The tagline for the movement is: ‘Being a woman is not a way for humiliation or punishment.’ When a feminist organization called the Marivan Womens’ Community held a protest against the misogynistic ruling, the Kurd Men for Equality joined them in solidarity. 

The Kurd Men for Equality campaign has over 7,000 fans on Facebook. So far, over 150 men have submitted photos of themselves in women’s clothing. The aim of the campaign is to show that wearing women’s clothing is not and should never be considered shameful, punishment, or humiliating. Women have also submitted themselves wearing men’s clothing in the true nature of gender bending awesomeness.

Here are some photos of these awesome, barrier breaking individuals: 

1. Pedram Penhan:  Hoping for the day that sexuality, gender will not be a way of evaluating humanity. 

2. Women and men submitted photos of themselves one another's traditional clothing. 

3. "Woman means Life."

4. Group photo!

5. Equality.

6. This is fantastic.

7. More of this guy please.

8. Being a woman is not a tool to humilate or punish anyone. Can't stress that one enough.

9. Everything about this is a win. 

10. Never stop being awesome.

This campaign wins the day. Thank you Kurd Men for Equality for showing us that gender is nothing more than a construction we perpetuate upon ourselves. Cheers and happy cross dressing!