Petrelis Files

Sullivan, Ireland: From Inside Iran, a Gay Activist Speaks Out

Andrew Sullivan blogs today about Doug Ireland's interview with a gay activist inside Iran, which you should read and is available here. You know an issue is important and transcends left/right ideology when Sullivan and Ireland are demanding attention be paid to something, like global abuses against gays.

As many human rights and gay advocate worldwide know, July 19 is a day of international protests and vigils commemorating the one-year anniversary of Iran hanging two gay teenagers. Events are planned in dozens of cities.

For the updated list of July 19 cities, go here.

Here's the quote Sullivan excerpts from Ireland's talk with our gay brother in Iran:

"We've frequently observed that solely for the offense of same-sex love and sleeping together, people have been condemned to death by hanging or stoning - there have been many such executions carried out by the malicious and criminal Iranian regime ... Look, you must understand that, in Iran, if a homosexual falls in love, he has committed a grave crime: here, homosexual love equals death, the gallows and stoning. So, this is a major part of what I term the 'condemned's' life: he is oppressed and sinks into despair and self-hate and, in too many cases, ultimately opts for suicide... You who live serenely and comfortably on the other side of Iran's frontiers, be aware that those who think and feel and love like you do in Iran are executed for the crime of homosexuality, are assassinated, kidnapped, and barred from working in offices. You have festivals, and they prisons. You select Mr. Gay of the Year, but they don’t even enjoy the right to have gravestones. Be fair and tell us what difference there is between us and you. Isn't it time that all homosexuals around the world rise up and come to our defense?"

If your city does not yet have a July 19 event in solidarity with gay Iranians scheduled, organize one!