LGBT in Iran

You can find useful information about LGBTQ in Iran in the above Motion Graphic. The text below will give you additional information.

Gender, sex and sexual orientation are three of the most significant aspects of human existence. They relates to identities and roles, sexual dispositions, lust, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. However, a person’s sex, gender and sexual orientation can also affect their ideas, aspirations, beliefs, worldview, perspectives, values, behaviours and social roles. The earliest records of same-gender attraction date back to the time of ancient Greece.

Read more

FAQ About Lesbian Gays and Bisexual (LGBT)

  • What does LGBTQ+ mean? LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for all kinds of sexes, genders and sexual orientations; e.g. homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex. The rainbow pride flag is a popular LGBTQ+ symbol. This flag represents pride, diversity, tolerance and respect for fellow human beings.
  • What is the punishment for gay men in Iran? Iran is one of the few countries in the world where, according to its laws, gay men are sentenced to death. Article 109 of the Islamic Penal Law approved in 1991 stipulates the death penalty for sexual intercourse between two men. In the new bill, the conditions have been slightly reformed: according to Article 233, the receiver will be executed in any case, and the penetrator will be executed only in case of ‘violence, reluctance, and having a wife’ – if he committed rape or was married before establishing a gay relationship. Another situation that carries the risk of execution is if one partner in the relationship is non-Muslim and the other is Muslim. In that case, according to the commentary on Article 233, the sentence is death.
  • What is the punishment for lesbian women in Iran? For sexual relations between two women, the Islamic Penal Code stipulates 100 lashes in Article 129. Under Article 135 of the new Islamic Penal Law, the same punishment is given for lesbians. At the same time, Article 135 of that bill approves the death sentence for repeated lesbian relations between women: ‘If a woman is tried three times for the crime of having sex with another woman and the limit applies to her, she will be executed the fourth time.
  • What are the solutions for reducing social and legal pressures on LGBT people in Iran? Among the various first-step solutions for reducing such social and legal pressures are bridging the information gap, educating about the diversity of sexual groups, avoiding traditional heteronormative relationship stereotypes and complementary thinking toward sexual relationships, recognising ideological incomprehension, accepting the current situation without bias, analysing the available data and gathering reliable baseline data, supporting the conducting of research, testing new and innovative ideas, and offering local solutions.