Anti-gay Iran, Iraq, Afganistan etc

[Daniel]

I'm starting this thread for anti-gay news in Middle East Countries like Iraq, Iran and Afganistan, Eygpt, Saudi Arabia etc. Sharia law, which is prevalent in many of these countries, is extremely anti-gay. The punishment for same-sex activity is stoning, hanging and decapitation.

We must nor forget our brothers and sisters, who are jailed, beaten and murdered because of who they are.


http://www.towleroad.com/2007/05/iranian_police_.html

Iranian Police Assault and Arrest 87 at Gay Birthday Party

Up to 87 were arrested at a birthday party for Farhad, a member of Iran's gay community last Thursday, and while several women among those arrested have been released, the gay men are still jailed.

One guest, identified as 'Peyman' told the Toronto-based Iranian Queer Organization: "I went to buy a gift for Farhad and so I arrived late for the party. As soon as I turned in to their street, I saw police cars parked everywhere; all my friends were arrested while seven or eight policeman beat them with batons. Fearing the usual punishments for attending a party, two had jumped from the second-floor window and were in a bad condition. Farhad’s family were also arrested. Everyone was transported into a big car and taken into custody. All their cell phones are off and we have no information about the situation inside the jail."

Another guest, Kia, reported: "Guests had come from Shiraz, Tehran, Shahin Shahr to Isfahan for Farhad’s birthday. When they were coming out of the house followed by the police, their clothes were ripped, their faces and bodies were covered in blood. They were beaten up badly."

[Zerbie]

Stories like this are why I receive alerts from Amnesty International. I wish there was something we could do. Writing a letter now and then really doesn't feel like enough.

I read about a police raid in NYC around the time of Stonewall where a young man panicked trying to escape a police station by jumping from an upstairs room to a roof. He landed on a spiked fence and was impaled there, still alive while they had to remove part of the fence in order to transport him to a hospital. The part about people being injured jumping from windows reminded me of that.

[NathanATX]

I agree Zerbie... I want to do more. Hopefully, by focusing our collective energies on this issue we can create something powerful.

Nate

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by NathanATX

I agree Zerbie... I want to do more. Hopefully, by focusing our collective energies on this issue we can create something powerful.

Nate

Like what?? What can we possibly do?

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I'm starting this thread for anti-gay news in Middle East Countries like Iraq, Iran and Afganistan, Eygpt, Saudi Arabia etc. Sharia law, which is prevalent in many of these countries, is extremely anti-gay. The punishment for same-sex activity is stoning, hanging and decapitation.

We must nor forget our brothers and sisters, who are jailed, beaten and murdered because of who they are.


http://www.towleroad.com/2007/05/iranian_police_.html

Can I just say this: we are not their 'brothers and sisters'--unless we're related to terrorists who would love nothing more than to see America's demise.

Two of my sons are in the Army and fighting the war against them, to help create a stonger, safer America tomorrow. Try showing some support by not suggesting they're the 'brothers' of the people who would just as soon see them dead as alive.

As for their anti-gay problems: who cares???? I mean, really: who cares?

I'm posting from America and would prefer you act like it also.

[dsdrane]

Originally Posted by kimmyd

Can I just say this: we are not their 'brothers and sisters'--unless we're related to terrorists who would love nothing more than to see America's demise.

Two of my sons are in the Army and fighting the war against them, to help create a stonger, safer America tomorrow. Try showing some support by not suggesting they're the 'brothers' of the people who would just as soon see them dead as alive.

As for their anti-gay problems: who cares???? I mean, really: who cares?

I'm posting from America and would prefer you act like it also.

Here we go again.

Moderators, anyone?

This is a completely obnoxious post.

[kimmyd]

Obnoxious?

I call it honest.

Moderators or not, I stand by this.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by kimmyd

Can I just say this: we are not their 'brothers and sisters'--unless we're related to terrorists who would love nothing more than to see America's demise.

Two of my sons are in the Army and fighting the war against them, to help create a stonger, safer America tomorrow. Try showing some support by not suggesting they're the 'brothers' of the people who would just as soon see them dead as alive.

As for their anti-gay problems: who cares???? I mean, really: who cares?

I'm posting from America and would prefer you act like it also.

This is absolutely uncalled for.

The world is not so black & white. Just because they were born in the middle east you believe they are terrorists? I think the ACTUAL terrorists believe WE are bad just because we were born over here. Don't become the very thing you despise.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by kimmyd

Can I just say this: we are not their 'brothers and sisters'--unless we're related to terrorists who would love nothing more than to see America's demise.

Two of my sons are in the Army and fighting the war against them, to help create a stonger, safer America tomorrow. Try showing some support by not suggesting they're the 'brothers' of the people who would just as soon see them dead as alive.

As for their anti-gay problems: who cares???? I mean, really: who cares?

I'm posting from America and would prefer you act like it also.

Kimmyd- I'm sorry that you do not seem to share the goals and aims of Soulforce, which is to respond nonviolently to the suffering of GLBT persons everywhere, not just here in the United States.

I don't don't know if you are a Christian, but Jesus taught us to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. And in light of his teaching, your comments above are highly intolerant and insensitive.

I pray for your sons safe return.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Kimmyd- I'm sorry that you do not seem to share the goals and aims of Soulforce, which is to respond nonviolently to the suffering of GLBT persons everywhere, not just here in the United States.

I don't don't know if you are a Christian, but Jesus taught us to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. And in light of his teaching, your comments above are highly intolerant and insensitive.

I pray for your sons safe return.

The thing is, those people have far more to worry about than intolerant gays. FAR more. Their biggest concern is surviving the day, gay or not. I do feel empathy for the innocent mid-east people suffering every day, but not about their sexual preferences at this point. To me, that is a rediculous subject to pity them about, when their biggest concern is walking home from a market without getting blown up. I don't think they need our support in their sexual preference issues as much as our prayers for their freedom and safety.

I am not a cold person, just a realistic one. Waging a campaign for gay rights in Iraq, right now, is just plain stupid, IMO. I support gay rights here and abroad. But let's not go overboard with this thing by bringing it to the mid-east. It just isn't the big issue in that regard.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

This is absolutely uncalled for.

The world is not so black & white. Just because they were born in the middle east you believe they are terrorists? I think the ACTUAL terrorists believe WE are bad just because we were born over here. Don't become the very thing you despise.

I really don't care what ACTUAL terrorists think one way or the other, since they are murderous bastards.

That said, do not ever--and I mean EVER, Zerbie, warn me to not become a terrorist. Ever. I am a law-abiding AMERICAN and will be to the end.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Kimmyd- I'm sorry that you do not seem to share the goals and aims of Soulforce, which is to respond nonviolently to the suffering of GLBT persons everywhere, not just here in the United States.

I don't don't know if you are a Christian, but Jesus taught us to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. And in light of his teaching, your comments above are highly intolerant and insensitive.

I pray for your sons safe return.

Also, Daniel, thank you very much for what you said about my sons. I do appreciate that.

If, someday, things are safe enough in the mid-east to do so, I'd love to engage in the battle for their right to be gay. I just don't see that day coming any time soon.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by kimmyd

I am not a cold person, just a realistic one. Waging a campaign for gay rights in Iraq, right now, is just plain stupid, IMO. I support gay rights here and abroad. But let's not go overboard with this thing by bringing it to the mid-east. It just isn't the big issue in that regard.

Whether you are a cold person or not is not the issue here.

This thread is about anti-gay violence in the mid and near east. If you don't want to know about, you don't have you. With that in mind, I suggest to avoid this thread in the future.

[dsdrane]

No one is saying one thing outweighs another; any time a person's life is unnecessarily put in danger, we should make ourselves aware of it and do what we can to help.

One of the biggest responsibilities, in my view, that gay people and those who love them (and you know who you are ) have is to bear witness to the crimes against "our own" because we've learned all too often that no one else will. That's what Daniel was doing (I believe) when he started this thread -- making us aware of crimes being committed. He did this because he knows I care and would want to know and that others care and would want to know.

The fact that you, kimmyd, don't care is irrelevant to me. What is not irrelevant is coming into "our house" and shooting your mouth off about the fact.

There are guidelines on this site, which I believe you've broken. I hope your privilege to post is revoked, but it is not my decision to make.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by dsdrane

No one is saying one thing outweighs another; any time a person's life is unnecessarily put in danger, we should make ourselves aware of it and do what we can to help.

One of the biggest responsibilities, in my view, that gay people and those who love them (and you know who you are ) have is to bear witness to the crimes against "our own" because we've learned all too often that no one else will. That's what Daniel was doing (I believe) when he started this thread -- making us aware of crimes being committed in. He did this because he knows I care and would want to know and that others care and would want to know.

The fact that you, kimmyd, don't care is irrelevant to me. What is not irrelevant is coming into "our house" and shooting your mouth off about the fact.

There are guidelines on this site, which I believe you've broken. I hope your privilege to post is revoked, but it is not my decision to make.

'Your house' is a chat-site where I am allowed to give my opinion as much as you are. If you view this site as a 'house', you need a more meaningful life.

Get over yourself. The drama isn't necessary.

[dsdrane]

Originally Posted by kimmyd

'Your house' is a chat-site where I am allowed to give my opinion as much as you are. If you view this site as a 'house', you need a more meaningful life.

Get over yourself. The drama isn't necessary.

Read the guidelines.

You are incorrect; you are not allowed to say whatever you want.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Whether you are a cold person or not is not the issue here.

This thread is about anti-gay violence in the mid and near east. If you don't want to know about, you don't have you. With that in mind, I suggest to avoid this thread in the future.

What I suggest is that you don't make this a place where the only opinion allowed is a warm, snuggly, hugging one that every single person agreees with. That is not realistic.

If you don't want differing opinions, don't start threads. It's that simple. But when you open one and invite people to post, expect differing views.

I am not a robot who just agrees with everything poured down my throat.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by dsdrane

Read the guidelines.

You are incorrect; you are not allowed to say whatever you want.

I am, if I am not cursing or otherwise attacking people. I am ABSOLUTELY allowed my opinion, if this site is opened in America.

I know the guidlines.

Do you?

[dsdrane]

You have been overly hostile to individuals as well as to Soulforce's goals of helping gay and lesbian people everywhere. And you've now implied a thread to Zerbie.

(See below.)

This has happened before.

However, as I said before, it is not my decision to make. I trust the moderators will take the appropriate steps.





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We welcome people who are on the journey to understanding and accepting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. However obvious anti-gay comments will not be allowed in the public forums. Such comments are not merely opinions, but rather a way to demean and oppress GLBT people. Any posts deemed by the Soulforce staff to be anti-gay will be removed. First time offenders will always receive a warning via private message. Repeat offenders will lose both their right to post messages on any of the Soulforce Public Forums and also their right to send private messages to other members.

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Some homosexual persons claim to have experienced a change in their sexual orientation. Their stories are their stories and we should not try to change them if they are sincerely happy. With that said, however, the vast majority of these brothers and sisters entered "ex-gay ministries" or "reparative therapy" under the belief of a homosexual orientation being morally inferior and a heterosexual orientation being morally superior. Such a belief is a falsehood that is used by many to deny GLBT people equality in society and full membership in our churches. Thus the promotion of "ex-gay ministries" or "reparative therapy" is not permitted on the forums and will be handled as anti-gay comments.

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[Jamie McDaniel]

This thread is being closed for review. I am shocked at your first post kimmyd.

Also, I'll take this opportunity to mention a documentary titled Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World

Update
(5/22/2007 7:15PM EST)
This thread is being reopened.