Sex Changes in Iran to Cure Homosexuality
http://www.gbmnews.com/articles/1999/1/Sex-Changes-in-Iran-to-Cure-Homosexuality/Page1.html
Justin Smith
Justin B Smith, 28, is a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland but presently resides in Baltimore.Justin is a Gay Activist. Since 1999 he has worked with various gay organizations including the National Black Justice Coalition, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland, Us Helping Us, and People Into Living Incorporated.
Justin is currently enrolled in school pursuing his degree in Communications and Journalism.
By Justin Smith
Published on 11/20/2007
About two months ago Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a very controversial speech at Columbia University in New York stating that there were no homosexuals in Iran. That comment opened up a flood of questions. After that comment was heard around the world several countries sent undercover journalist inside Iran to bring to light the struggles of the homosexuals who live there. Gay underground organizations meet in secret at coffee shops, local pubs, and other public places. They risk being arrested, tortured and even killed, just for being themselves.
About two months ago Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a very controversial speech at Columbia University in New York stating that there were no homosexuals in Iran. That comment opened up a flood of questions. After that comment was heard around the world several countries sent undercover journalist inside Iran to bring to light the struggles of the homosexuals who live there. Gay underground organizations meet in secret at coffee shops, local pubs, and other public places. They risk being arrested, tortured and even killed, just for being themselves. Sex Changes in Iran to Cure Homosexuality
About two months ago Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a very controversial speech at Columbia University in New York stating that there were no homosexuals in Iran. That comment opened up a flood of questions.
Many of them live under the fundamentalist government in Iran, but they are starting to fight back. In 2002, a group was established called the PGLO (Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization), before long it had over 5,000 members. The Iranian Government soon got wind of the organization and came to arrest the founder. He who we shall call Arsham had to flee to Canada for his personal safety. Since the Arsham has left and his story has been told to the other Iranian Gays and Lesbians the organization has grown and is now headed by and 24 year old Assistant Pharmacist named Mani Zaniar. Zaniar organizing meeting spaces for Gays and Lesbians via internet. They meet in public places but with closed doors and shaded windows. People that meet in these places do not show any public displays of affection because of fear of being seen and arrested.
In another city in Iran, young gays and lesbians that have been thrown out of their homes have been so desperate for money that they prostitute their bodies. Now this is nothing new to hear in the United States but in Iran prostitution is almost committing suicide. A young gay man name Humon said he usually only charged 10 dollars if he liked the gentlemen and 100 dollars for an older gentlemen. These costs are for a night of what he calls “doing business”. Humon said other than the mental stresses there were also physical stressing involved as well. Humon said he has been kidnapped, beaten, mugged, raped, and infected with numerous sexually transmitted diseases. Humon went to the police after the incident happened but nothing came of it.
100 lashes usually was the typical punishment for homosexual acts, but after the Islamic revolution 1979 in Iran homosexuality was considered a capital crime punishable by death. There are other ways that Iran deals with homosexuals besides severe punishment. The Iranian government tries to cure homosexuality by given sex change operations. The state even pays for half of the operation. Some homosexual men actually get the operation for safety so they are not punished for the crime of being homosexual. The clinics in Iran have performed 100’s of sex change operations, but there is a waiting list that can have homosexuals waiting for years. Even if the are at the top of the list it is a very expensive operation.
Iranian Gays and Lesbians are being severely repressed. My prayers go out to the Gay Activist there. But as we know the civil rights movement whether it is racial or sexual, is a hard long road. My hope is that the brutality stop and a higher power give these people the strength to survive and stay strong.
Many of them live under the fundamentalist government in Iran, but they are starting to fight back. In 2002, a group was established called the PGLO (Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization), before long it had over 5,000 members. The Iranian Government soon got wind of the organization and came to arrest the founder. He who we shall call Arsham had to flee to Canada for his personal safety. Since the Arsham has left and his story has been told to the other Iranian Gays and Lesbians the organization has grown and is now headed by and 24 year old Assistant Pharmacist named Mani Zaniar. Zaniar organizing meeting spaces for Gays and Lesbians via internet. They meet in public places but with closed doors and shaded windows. People that meet in these places do not show any public displays of affection because of fear of being seen and arrested.
In another city in Iran, young gays and lesbians that have been thrown out of their homes have been so desperate for money that they prostitute their bodies. Now this is nothing new to hear in the United States but in Iran prostitution is almost committing suicide. A young gay man name Humon said he usually only charged 10 dollars if he liked the gentlemen and 100 dollars for an older gentlemen. These costs are for a night of what he calls “doing business”. Humon said other than the mental stresses there were also physical stressing involved as well. Humon said he has been kidnapped, beaten, mugged, raped, and infected with numerous sexually transmitted diseases. Humon went to the police after the incident happened but nothing came of it.
100 lashes usually was the typical punishment for homosexual acts, but after the Islamic revolution 1979 in Iran homosexuality was considered a capital crime punishable by death. There are other ways that Iran deals with homosexuals besides severe punishment. The Iranian government tries to cure homosexuality by given sex change operations. The state even pays for half of the operation. Some homosexual men actually get the operation for safety so they are not punished for the crime of being homosexual. The clinics in Iran have performed 100’s of sex change operations, but there is a waiting list that can have homosexuals waiting for years. Even if the are at the top of the list it is a very expensive operation.
Iranian Gays and Lesbians are being severely repressed. My prayers go out to the Gay Activist there. But as we know the civil rights movement whether it is racial or sexual, is a hard long road. My hope is that the brutality stop and a higher power give these people the strength to survive and stay strong.