HOME | ARCHIVE | EMAIL US | TRAVEL SECTION

IRAN/UNITED KINGDOM

Ahmadinejad Now Admits that Gays Exist in Iran – and that They Voted Against Him

Gays join Iran democracy protest in London
 

■ One of the many who protested outside the Iranian Embassy in London yesterday evening.  Gay joined straight people in the demonstration against the Iranian election. Photo: Outrage!

LONDON, June 19, 2009  –  In his latest broadside against the pro-democracy protesters in Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused his political opponents of ‘officially recognising thieves, homosexuals and scumbags’ in order to win their votes.

The remarks were made in a televised victory speech – the speech was quickly given the “dirt and dust” tag.

“The old tyrant has let the cat of the bag,” the human rights activist Peter Tatchell told UK Gay News this morning. “Gay people exist in Iran and they voted against him.”

Almost two years ago, President Ahmadinejad insisted in a now-famous speech, at Columbia University in New York, that there were “no gays” in Iran.

Nearly 600 people – both gay and straight – joined last night’s demonstration in London in solidarity with the Iranian people’s mass protests for democracy and human rights.

The rally was held outside the Iranian Embassy and included a gay contingent comprising members of OutRage!, Iraqi LGBT and Gay Muslims.

Continued after photo

■ Almost 600 people, gay and straight, gathered outside the Iranian Embassy in London in solidarity with the Iranian people’s mass protests for democracy and human rights. Photo: Outrage!

“Although there were a few awkward looks, we received a mostly warm welcome from the predominantly straight and Iranian protesters,” said Mr. Tatchell, who had encouraged people to turnout on Thursday night, to coincide with the mass protests in Tehran the same day.

“Some thanked us for joining the demonstration; others specifically emphasised their support for LGBT rights.

“It was a very positive move to have a visible LGBT presence at the rally.  I think we generated considerable goodwill from many of those in attendance.

“We joined the rally to show our solidarity with the heroic freedom struggle of the Iranian people.

“We support Iranian LGBTs who demand an end to state-sponsored homophobia, including the repeal of laws that result in the arrest, imprisonment, flogging and execution of queers.

“We also support Iran’s defiant women’s rights activists, the jailed trade unionists, the beaten and murdered students, the persecuted Baha’is and Sunni Muslims, and Iran’s oppressed ethnic minorities, the Arabs, Kurds, Baluchs and Azeris. Their struggle is our struggle, because human rights are universal,” he added.

■ Peter Tatchell at the demonstration in solidarity with the Iranian people’s mass protests for democracy and human rights. Photo: Outrage!

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTER FRIENDLY PAGE

Seed Newsvine  

Got an opinion on this article?  Leave your comment here.