Iranian Gays: We're Here!

Contrary to prez, community of 'illegal' gays live in Iran, but very quietly
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 1, 2007 4:14 AM CDT
Iranian Gays: We're Here!
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.   (Getty Images (by Event))

Iranian gays insist they actually do exist, and in large numbers, contrary to statements made by Iran's president to derisive laughter at Columbia University last week. But life there is much more "complicated" for gays than it is in North America. “You can have a secret gay life as long you don’t start demanding rights,” one man told the New York Times.

It's illegal to be gay in Iran, where gays are punished by lashing or death if it can be proven that they engaged in homosexual relations. Observers believe President Ahmadinejad was caught off guard by a question about gays at Columbia, where such a question would be unheard of at an Iranian university. "We don't have homosexuals," he said. (More gays stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X