Petrelis Files

U.S. TV Broadcasts Pix of Iran's Gay Hanging

Dear Doug Ireland:

I write to you today to express my deep gratitude for all the reporting you've done and continue to perform about the plight of Iran's gays and human rights activists.

Last night, one of the Bay Area's PBS stations aired Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now!" show and in her round-up of global news, she reported on your dispatches about the situation in Iran.

Not only that, she showed the newest photo from the public hanging of two gay teenagers in Mashad back in July and the picture of Amir, the 22-year-old gay Iranian who was lashed 100 times, before escaping to Turkey.

So, thanks to you, American television has broadcast the images of how Iran abuses gays.

Now, if only the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission would follow the example set by you and Amy Goodman and post those photos of Iran's brutality on their web sites, I might believe that these three gay groups are committed to respecting gay and human rights activists and helping them, regardless of borders.

Here's the transcript of Goodman's segment on Iran last night:

New Photos Released of Hanging Of Gay Iranian Teens
"This news from Iran - the Iran Student News Association has just released a new photo showing the hanging of two gay teenagers, ages 18 and 17. Independent journalist Doug Ireland reports the boys were charged with rape but that they were actually the victims of an increasing crackdown on the country's gay population. Prior to their execution the boys were held in prison for over a year and tortured. Ireland reports this anti-gay crackdown is part of the crusade against "moral corruption" promised by Iran's newly-elected President Ahmadinejad in his election campaign. Last month Ireland interviewed a 22-year-old gay Iranian man who is seeking asylum in Turkey. While in Iranian police custody, he was beaten and tortured, threatened with death, and lashed 100 times."

Mr. Ireland, thanks.