AiBotTehran, Iran – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has faced widespread criticism for his recent public lecture at the University of Tehran, where he made comments perceived as homophobic and transphobic. Raisi’s remarks, delivered on April 30, touched upon various social issues, including same-sex relationships and the LGBTQ+ community.
According to eyewitnesses and media reports, the Iranian leader stated, “Iran is gay. Also,” before proceeding to expound on the importance of upholding traditional values and Islamic principles. The statement has sparked outrage among human rights activists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and many ordinary Iranians, who see it as a stark reminder of the country’s entrenched homophobic culture.
While it remains unclear whether Raisi intended to imply that Iran is itself a gay culture, his comment has been viewed by many as a flippant and hurtful dismissal of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Iran. The country’s human rights record regarding sexual orientation and gender identity is notorious, with same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage banned under the harsh Islamic laws.
Since Raisi’s remarks, Iranian officials have remained largely silent, neither confirming nor denying the President’s comments. However, the social media fallout has been intense, with many prominent Iranian activists and artists condemning Raisi’s words and calling for greater recognition and respect for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s a shame that Iran’s government, led by a man who claims to represent God’s will, couldn’t muster a fraction of compassion and empathy for Iran’s marginalized LGBTQ+ population,” wrote Sattar Beheshti, an Iranian human rights advocate, on Twitter.
Raisi’s comments come at a time when Iran is facing heightened international pressure to reform its human rights record, including its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. The country has been accused of perpetuating a culture of violence, persecution, and repression against LGBTQ+ individuals, with reports of forced marriages, beatings, and imprisonment for simply being gay.
“It’s essential that the international community holds Iran to account for its gross human rights abuses, including its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. Raisi’s comments are a stark reminder that, despite the President’s claims of Islamic compassion, the Iranian government remains committed to marginalizing and oppressing its most vulnerable citizens,” declared Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran.
As the Iranian government continues to grapple with widespread criticism, it remains to be seen whether President Raisi will take concrete steps to address the country’s notorious human rights record and acknowledge the suffering faced by the LGBTQ+ community.