Gay Iranians increasingly fleeing their country after June's crackdown

[Duncan Grant]

Prominently featured in the article is the femininity of Iranian gay men. Unfortunately, the make-up, shaved eyebrows, and "swish" aren't contextualized fully (re: personal power & cultural transcendence). I'm sharing for those who are interested in LGBT lives beyond the borders of the U.S. (small photo gallery included at link).

Sex between two men in Iran is punishable by death after the first offense; sex between two women carries a penalty of 100 lashes, with the death penalty applicable on the fourth violation. Two gay teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, were famously hanged in the city of Mashhad in 2005. Yet for those with severe gender disorders, the government actually offers financial assistance for sex-change operations -- the idea being, apparently, that if they change sexes, their desires would no longer violate religious law.

Still, the refugees describe a certain don't-ask, don't-tell policy in everyday Iranian life. At his front-desk job at the Simorgh Hotel in north Tehran, Hassan wore light foundation to work, openly telling his boss and co-workers about his sexuality. A few teased him. " 'Hey, lady,' they would sometimes call when they needed me," Hassan said. But for the most part, he said, he was accepted.

He and others were part of an underground scene at cafes, parks and private homes. In Tehran, where Hassan and Farzan lived until last year, dozens of gay men would gather on Thursdays at Laleh Park. Some would wear makeup and sport silver rings, a telltale sign of their sexuality.

After Ahmadinejad came to power in 2005, however, the campaign against gays intensified, according to international gay organizations. In Isfahan, authorities raided gay parties, with photos circulating on the Internet showing revelers badly bruised following their arrests. Three refugees said they were raped in prison. Both Hassan and Farzan said they received 10 to 25 lashes on repeated occasions.

Full story here (Washington Post).

edit: Forgot to mention that the article is from Friday, April 2, 2010.

[foxfeet]

1. But there ARE no GLBT people in Iran. I'madinnerjacket said so.

[David__77]

2. Yeah, then his spokesperson clarified the he "meant" there are fewer.

I found it interesting that they felt any need to clarify. In some circles, they make an effort to pose as progressive. I have debated these types: they claim the forced hijab actually is feminist because it protects women from the brutal male gaze that is dehumanizing. I'm sure they have their faux arguments regarding homosexuality as well.

[closeupready]

3. That whole region is a den of snakes, if you are gay. Personally,

I wouldn't feel safe even in India being openly gay - which is actually one of the better South Asian states in terms of human rights.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Best place to be gay in the Middle East is Israel

same with being a woman, member of a minority religion, and other basic civil rights

[closeupready]

9. Right, Israel is about the only exception.

And even there, there are still reports of violent assaults on gay people during Pride and such, but officially, you are correct.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. In Israel you have the Haredi, but they are not in charge

You also have many other religions including Baha'i that are tolerated

[totodeinhere]

11. I'm happy to finally see something positive about Israel said at DU.

Thank you.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. islam's sharia in action

[closeupready]

5. The irony is that in a Shia state like Iran, Sharia is a Sunni concept

If I'm recalling the terms correctly.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Actually both group use and cite the Sharia though employ it somewhat differently

[PDJane]

6. tolerance is a sign of civilization............

The world is going backwards.