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Homosexuals? What homosexuals?

Iran’s closet is empty. Apparently.

Tuesday, 2 October 2007

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was anything but camp on Columbia University campus last month when asked about his country's treatment of Iranian lesbian and gay men.

Holocaust denial isn’t enough it seems. When questioned about the executions of homosexuals in Iran, Ahmadinejad said the judiciary system executed violent criminals and high-level drug dealers, comparing them to microbes eliminated through medical treatment. Pressed specifically about punishment of homosexuals, he said: "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country." With the audience laughing derisively, he continued "In Iran we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know who's told you that we have this."

So now we know.

The truth, of course, is that Iran does have a gay community but unfortunately one the regime is happy to persecute and prosecute with impunity. There have been many hangings for sodomy and July 19th 2005 saw the high profile double execution of Asgari and Marhoni - two gay teenagers in the city of Mashhad. Less gay rights than right to life.

And yet there's a strange paradox happening in the country when it comes to transsexuals. Whilst homosexual acts can earn Iranians a death sentence transexuality is not seen as a crime but as an illness subject to cure. The state carries out more gender change operations than any other country in the world bar Thailand. Official statistics put the number of transsexuals living in the country as anything up to 20,000. Maryam Khatoon Molkara leader of the country’s main transsexual organisation was recently quoted as saying “In Iran transsexuals are part of the homosexual family. Transexuality is a real disaster. It’s a one way street but if someone wants to study, have a future and live like others they should go through the surgery.”

In a country where sodomy is seen as deserving a death sentence and transexuality a curable disease enlightenment seems some way off. So support is needed for those campaigners trying to shine through. In the words of gaymiddleeast.com "All men and women were born to love. Love is a wonderful thing; we all possess it and should share it. So don't let them teach you how to hate. Simply do the most true and basic thing."

Watch President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech on YouTube.

...and lend your support to Iran's LGBT community through the following websites:
www.gaymiddleeast.com
www.homanla.org
www.amnesty.org