Queer Resistance and Solidarity: Putin - homophobia czar, ResIstanbul, Free Bradley Manning, and more... (London Gay Pride 2013)

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Love, the queen, equal marriage, the colours - key themes of the London Gay Pride 2013
People, sport, fun and cakes - London Gay Pride 2013
***

Ridiculous being of Iranian regime: latest targets - football and male haircut

*Mohammad Nosrati (via Daily Mail)

*Sheys Rezaei (via Daily Mail)

This pair of Iranian footballers got suspended for lengthy periods and fined heavily for ‘immoral’ goal celebration. There were even suggestions that they may face lashes.

Two leading Iranian football players face floggings for celebrating goals in a manner the regime deems immoral.

Mohammed Nosrati appeared to place his hand on the buttocks of Sheys Rezaei as members of the Persepolis team, based in Tehran, jumped on each other to celebrate the winning goal in their 3-2 victory over rivals Damash last Saturday. Earlier in the game, which was watched by millions of Iranians on live television, Rezaei appeared to touch the bottom of another teammate, Alireza Noormohammadi, though he insists he was just trying to tickle him.

The Iranian football federation swiftly suspended both players and fined them nearly $40,000 (£25,000) each. But a Tehran judge, Valiallah Hosseini, has now suggested that they should be imprisoned and lashed as well.

“The two players should definitely be charged and sentenced according to Islamic punishment to two months prison and 74 lashes,” he said. Describing their behaviour as a “breach of public chastity”, he continued: “Even if a husband and wife conduct themselves inappropriately in public they are punishable (but) the two players have behaved like this in front of thousands in the stadium and television cameras.” [...] (The Times)

As per latest news, at least one of the players is reportedly seeking his career abroad.

While Nosrati is still under contract with Persepolis, Rezaei was released by the club. The former Persepolis captain, who had repeatedly violated the disciplinary code of the club in the past, reportedly is seeking his luck abroad now.

I’d say, ban football altogether. It’s sooo homoerotic.

But there is more to ridiculous being of Iranian regime.

Recent reports by Amnesty brought to our attention the issue of ‘legal male haircuts’. Apparently, there are only limited number of male haircuts that are ‘approved by state’ in Iran.

The Iranian government dictates which haircuts are acceptable for its citizens. This week's clip from Amnesty TV looks at which styles are approved by the state. The Simon Cowell, the lesser Simon Cowell and the Elvis are pretty safe. But don't even think of trying a mullet or ponytail. (watch the video on The Guardian)

London Pride 2010: Gay Muslims, Immigration, Refugees, Asylum, Persecution

*For more pictures - see my Picasa Web Album

Gay Muslims - UK (Channel 4 documentary)

This documentary - Gay Muslims - was first shown on Channel 4 (UK) in January 2006. Thanks to Gay Armenian Lounge Room for the link.

Azeri MPs boycotted Council of Europe (PACE) gay rights debate

Surprise-surprise. You know... same old bullshit (see below re-post from a local news agency in Baku).

As I mentioned in my earlier post, there was a fierce opposition to this debate from certain religious and political circles in Georgia too. It's not clear what was the position of Armenian MPs re PACE debate and proposed resolution. As we know, Armenia and Georgia endorsed historic UN gay rights statement. So far, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Armenia was consistent by endorsing various EU statements in support of gay rights. However, no practical steps were implemented for legal protection of human rights and equality of LGBT citizens in Armenia.

Back to the debates in Council of Europe, voting was delayed till PACE next session in April. Will keep an eye on developments.
***

Azerbaijani MPs not to attend European debates on same-sex marriage

Fri 22 January 2010 | 13:15 GMT 

Sabir Hajiyev

Azerbaijani MPs and religious leaders have spoken out against a debate on sexual orientation to be held at the Council of Europe next week.

Two members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Gultekin Hajibeyli and Sabir Hajiyev, said they would not take part in the debates.

"I am not going to take part in these discussions and I think it wrong to raise this issue in PACE," Hajiyev said.

The PACE debate, provisionally scheduled for 27 January, will discuss discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender self-identification and will propose the legalization of same-sex marriages in Council of Europe member-states.

"I have a very negative view of the debate. Yes, we have declared integration with European structures as our priority, but we must also protect our national and cultural values. This is unacceptable for us and we do not intend to copy everything that is adopted in Europe," Hadi Rajabli, chairman of the parliamentary committee on social policy, said.

"We have our own mentality and we must preserve our cultural values", he added.

The Caucasus Muslims Department expressed its opposition to the debates. They urged MPs to speak against the proposal not only during this session of PACE but in future too: "This is a great sin and Islam condemns such sinful acts."

The head of the Mountain Jews community of Azerbaijan, Semen Ikhiilov, also urged deputies not to take part in these discussions.

"Whoever raises these issues is insane. These people have no shame. Such actions are condemned by all world religions. Therefore, I am very negative about it," Ikhiilov said.

The Ukrainian council of churches and religious organizations have also protested at the planned PACE debate on the legalization of same-sex marriages.

1 news.az

Rare report in Azeri media about local lesbian couple (in Russian)

Общество

Азербайджанская однополая семья растит семимесячную дочь04 ноября 2009 15:12

В Азербайджане появилась одна из первых однополых семей, которая вот уже два года и три месяца существует и растит семимесячную дочь.

Ребенок с радостью воспринимает обеих мам и, как все дети, убегает при виде посторонних. Случай сам по себе уникален для Азербайджана, так как до сих пор никто из геев либо лесбиянок, сожительствуя, не ухаживал за «общим» чадом.

Корреспондент 1news.az побывал в гостях у этой уникальной семьи и увидел весь уклад жизни своими глазами.

Айнур (22 года) и Юля (29 лет) (имена условные) поведали собственную историю знакомства, чему посредничал общий друг.

Когда беременную Юлю бросил муж, женщина осталась без поддержки и близких рядом с отчимом. «Это был какой- то момент, подтолкнувший меня на этот шаг», - рассказывала Юля.

Айнур к тому времени уже имела четырехлетний опыт общения с девушкой, с которой рассталась по собственной инициативе. В отличие от Юли, у нее больше родственников, но они все отказались от дочери.

Вскоре после того, как женщины определились со своими отношениями, накололи имена друг друга на своих руках, Айнур переселилась жить к своей подруге. Она стала работать вместо мужчины на стройке и в ресторанах официанткой, ведь надо было прокормить беременную Юлю. С приближением родов они обе стали искать больницу, где можно было бы безопаснее и дешевле организовать роды.

«На руках у меня было только 300 манатов. С этими деньгами мы не знали куда идти, ведь кроме родов Юле еще надо было питаться. Общими усилиями мы вышли на одну правозащитницу. Она, в свою очередь, через собственные каналы договорилась об организации бесплатных родов в Центре акушерства и гинекологии»,- добавила Айнур.

После родов, им до сих пор помогают чем могут их друзья. Айнур не имеет постоянной работы. Ее никто не воспринимает всерьез, да еще и проблема с документами. Даже попытка называться мужским имением порой не дает своего результата. Диплом бухгалтера остался лежать в ящичке комода, да и по специальности Айнур работала недолго.

Сейчас она вместе с Юлей намерена уехать в Россию, где на однополые пары обращают меньше внимания.

Со слов хозяек, раньше в Сабаильском районе соседи избегали их, но сейчас стали чаще захаживать в гости, чему стал свидетелем и сам сотрудник 1news.az. Они чаще приходят, чтобы убежать от собственных наболевших проблем, забывая о нравах, где воспитывается грудной ребенок.

Между тем, чтобы прокомментировать данную ситуацию и судьбу ребенка, воспитываемого двумя женщинами, редакция обратилась к психологу Даянату Рзаеву.

По его словам, гомосексуальность родителей в 50 % может повлиять на формирование ребенка, в зависимости от того, в какое русло в процессе воспитания она будет направлена. В определенной форме ребенок всегда принимает модель поведения своих родителей и в этом случае в качестве подражания выступают две мамы нетрадиционной ориентации. Однако немаловажен и генетический фактор. Воспитание тоже имеет свое особое место.

«Только чтобы огородить ребенка от возможного влияния на нее роли родителей нельзя отбирать у них девочку. Вполне возможно, что именно эти родители очень хорошие мамы, ведь женский гомосексуализм бывает семейным», - заключил психолог.

В свою очередь, директор Клиники прав ребенка Назир Гулиев считает, что так как в местном законодательстве нет понятия однополая семья, вторая женщина (в этом случае Айнур) не является биологическим родителем – она постороннее лицо ребенку. Однако даже у постороннего лица есть право на воспитание ребенка при согласии на то биологических родителей. Под понятием постороннего лица можно назвать нянек, преподавателей и воспитателей.

Если поведение одного из них вредит воспитательному процессу, родитель имеет право обратиться в соответствующие органы.

Также по поводу однополой семьи высказалась глава Общества прав женщин Новелла Джафароглы. Она считает, что в Азербайджане ментальность не позволяет жить однополой семьей и это считается аморальным.

«В случае, если однополые семьи все-таки будут преследоваться, правозащитники смогут вступиться за них. Однако среди восточных стран очень мало найдется государств, которые смогут привыкнуть к однополым семьям», - отметила правозащитница.

З. Ибрагимхалилова

*1news.az

Fashion (bridal) show in Chechnya

Armenian American reporter Lara Setrakian of ABC News about gay scene in Saudi Arabia and across Middle East

Armenian American reporter Lara Setrakian, "a one-woman ABC news bureau in Dubai", posted an extensive report on gay scene in Saudi Arabia and across Middle East:

Saudi Gay Scene: 'Forbidden, but I can't Help It'
Across the Middle East, Many Struggle With the Stigma of Homosexuality

[...] Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, but the charge calls for four witnesses to make a case. Arrests by the religious police are far more arbitrary. In a recent case they apprehended one man at a Jeddah shopping mall, suspecting he was gay from his tight jeans and fitted shirt.

"I've been invited to private parties for gay men in Jeddah, but I never go because I know what would happen if we were caught," Samir told ABC News.

"Unless it's a VIP house -- if the party is at the home of one of the princes or one of the sheiks then you're protected."

In Saudi Arabia, where men and women are strictly separated, there is some space for gay life. Gay men can go cruising -- a term for picking up partners -- and socialize in male-only sections of cafes and restaurants. In line with sex-segregated social norms, gay lovers can often spend intimate time together without arousing suspicion.

But gays and lesbians in Saudi Arabia still need to accommodate the pressures of public life, in some cases pairing off to accommodate a freer lifestyle.

"There is a gay group of girls in Saudi looking for gay men to marry. It's the perfect solution," says Samir, adding that he wouldn't mind a lesbian wife of his own. [...]

More...

Online Freedom but With Entrapment Risks
Gay Web Sites Blocked in Many Arab Countries
U.S. Government Has Been Quiet About Gay Crackdown in Iraq
Small Space for Gay Pride

Iran: Blogging against homophobia

*via Global Voices Online

A few Iranian bloggers wrote comments on ‘International day against homophobia' on May 17 and shared their concerns about existing discrimination against homosexuals in Iran.

Pesar has published an open letter from Iranian homosexual students to other student activists in the country:

We, homosexual students of Iran, have for years been present in the movements of students and intellectuals. We have been at the heart of their social and political demands, and we have protested the discriminatory situation in Iranian society. Now all freedom advocates and human rights defenders understand that homosexual rights are human rights… In Iran and other countries where social and human freedoms are non-existent, homosexuals are submitted to the worst tortures, persecutions and oppressions.

Ketabkhane has published [fa] a series of books written by and/or about homosexuals. They explain why they decided to make their works available on their blog:

Our existence is not only limited to physical presence in Iran's cities and villages. We live inside in Iranian society. We are influenced by it and we leave our impact. We live in this society. A group of us are writing and creating thoughts but people can not read our words if they have no access to them.

Gameron writes [fa] that homosexuals face problems in Islamic countries where they can be executed. The Islamic regime in Iran denies the existence of homosexuals, instead of helping the population to learn about homosexuality.

Thousands of Iranians celebrate Novruz in Armenia due to "liberties"

Thousands of Iranians choose to celebrate Novruz in Armenia. Referring to the Public Radio of Armenia, Huliq says that "close to 20,000 vacationers from neighboring Iran have traveled to Armenia to celebrate Novruz, the Iranian New Year in Armenia due to liberties, affordability and warm weather."

The young people from Iran travel to Armenia with large groups to be able to celebrate Novruz while they can attend Yerevan's numerous nightclubs and can drink in public. Whereas in Iran you can only drink inside your house and there is no such a thing as public drinking.

The reporter of the Armenia radio interviewed a young lady who is staying in front of Yerevan hotel saying "look I can have my beer here and don't have to carry a scarf, which is an obligation in Iran." [...]

"We went to night clubs, danced and were able to have good time with our friends. Yerevan is near to Iran, full of good people and provides good opportunities for fun and celebration," says 25 years old Amir from Iran while shopping in Yerevan and who thinks the traditions are too strict in his country Iran.

As the report pointed out further, "It is estimated that an average vacationer spends $1000 U.S. dollars in Armenia per week, which includes most of the expenses, including hotel and meal. Therefore, 20,000 Iranian tourists leaving $20 Million dollars in the Armenian economy is a good investment in the country of 3.5 million people."

As far as I know from various sources, for the same reasons many Azeris tend to spend their Novruz holiday in Georgia.

As posted on this blog, Iranian artists and gays seek freedom in Armenia too. This is VERY relative, of course, from a local Armenian perspectives, but pretty significant for Iranians.

Here is the morale of this story. Under current economic conditions, focus on tourism should become one of the priorities. And as this report suggests, more social liberties will attract more tourists, and subsequently more money to Armenian state budget and local businesses. Even if for practical reasons, it's time to think of pink pound (or euro/dollar, if you wish).

Like Everyday...

Shadi Ghadirian
Like Everyday Series 2000 - 2001
Unveiled: New Art From The Middle East
The Saatchi Gallery, London

"Challenging the international preconceptions of women's roles within and Islamic state, Tehran-based artist Shadi Ghadirian's photographs draw from her own experiences as a modern woman living within the ancient codes of Shariah law. Her images describe a positive and holistic female identity, humorously taking issue with the traditional roles by which women - both in the Middle East and universally - have been defined."

Muslim artist Sarah Maple gets death threats in London

I first came across Sarah Maple's work at the recent gallery exhibition in NY on best emerging British artists. (see photos of some of her works below) Someone said back then that she is one of the most promising new artists in the UK.

Today BBC reports that after opening an exhibition at one of London galleries Sarah Maple started receiving death threats. Moreover, staff at the gallery received abusive phone calls, and someone smashed the glass front of the gallery. Apparently, some in the Muslim community find her works insulting. Watch the interview with another female Muslim artist in London who effectively tries justifying these attacks simply because she thinks that Sarah's works do not constitute 'work of art' according to her taste. Sickening...

In solidarity with Sarah!

Fighting for Muslim women's rights: International Congress on Islamic Feminism

"Some of the world's leading Islamic feminists have been gathered in Barcelona for the third International Congress on Islamic Feminism, to discuss the issues women face in the Muslim world." More...

http://www.feminismeislamic.org

Iranian artists and gays find freedom in Armenia

"Every summer many Armenians living abroad in diasporas are coming home to experience their sacred ancient land; the local tourism caters mainly for them. However Armenia is also a space of…. freedom for quite different group of people. The young visual artists from Iran that borders Armenia in the south are coming here to study, create and show representational/figurative art that is forbidden in the Muslim fundamentalist society. The picturesque mountain lake Sevan – an Armenian natural treasure – is also a holiday destination for Iranian gay couples imprisoned and persecuted in their own country. The lake surrounded by mystical medieval monasteries cools the heat of this volatile yet promising region."

*from One Week in Yerevan: Art, Politics, and Sexuality by Pawel Leszkowicz

Pawel Leszkowicz is a curator and lecturer/writer from Poland ,specialising in contemporary art/visual culture and sexuality/queer studies. He curated the exhibition of contemporary queer art "Love and Democracy" (2005/2006) and wrote with his partner Tomek Kitlinski the book "Love and Democracy. He intends to develop an international perspective and contacts in this field, particularly in Eastern Europe. In Poland he teaches at the Department of Art History at the University and the Department of Intermedia at the Fine Arts Academy.

Burqa = Straitjacket (Quote of The Day)

I cannot agree with her more. When I see women in burqa, all I see is oppression. There is absolutely nothing there remotely reflecting the idea of choice for women, as some advocates of this ‘prison clothing’ argue.

Fadela Amara, French Urban Affairs Minister (Muslim of Algerian parentage):

"The burqa is a prison, it's a straitjacket," she told Le Parisien.

"It is not a religious insignia but the insignia of a totalitarian political project that advocates inequality between the sexes and which is totally devoid of democracy."

The minister said she hoped the court's ruling [Unzipped: Gay Armenia - to deny French citizenship to a Moroccan woman who wears the burqa] might in future "dissuade certain fanatics from imposing the burqa on their wives".

Ms Amara, who is also a prominent women's rights campaigner, said she made no distinction between the veil and the burqa, describing both as symbols of oppression for women.

"It's just a question of centimetres of fabric," she added.

London Gay Pride parade - 5 July 2008

All photos - by Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and actor Sir Ian McKellen. Peter Tatchell marched  carrying a poster ridiculing the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It featured a photo of Amhadinejad wearing blue eye shadow, red lipstick, a gold
earring and pink nail varnish. The placard was emblazoned with the words: "President of Iran. Murderer. Homophobe." Next to the President's tiny wagging finger was a mocking speech bubble with the words: "My penis is this big."

For the first time in history, LGBT representatives from all three armed forces - Navy, Army and Airforce, were out parading in their full dress uniforms. Metropolitan Police and Fire Brigade were out there too.

Older LGBT community

LGBT Muslims

The presence of transgender community was particularly strong this year.

Amnesty International supporters staged 'Eurovision Pride Contest' at the London Gay Pride parade, awarding symbolic 'nul points' to countries with poor gay rights record.

Stonewall's campaign Education for All and Boycott Heinz featured prominently during the march.

Manworthy...

    Colourful

A handful of protesters (Christian fundamentalists). Very sad people, indeed!

Rainbow flag over the St Martin-in-the-Fields church. What a sight, eh?!

Absolut vodka known for its gay-friendly ads, turned rainbow for the occasion, Soho, London.