In Iran, we do not have homosexuals
by Scoop Shachtman, 24 September 2007
No green halos this time, so you’ll have to imagine them:
Ahmadinejad briefly addressed two of his claims that had aroused the most controversy, claiming academics in Europe had been imprisoned for “approaching the Holocaust from a different perspective.”
He also said as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran had the right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology, and said its programs had always been open to inspection.
Speaking in Farsi with a simultaneous translator, Ahmadinejad several times addressed the audience as “my dear friends.” Ahmadinejad characterized himself as a fellow academic, saying even as president he continues teaching courses on a weekly basis.
There were no disruptions as the audience sat in silence through most of the speech. There was derisive laughter when Ahmadinejad claimed “in Iran, we do not have homosexuals” in response to a question, while the end of the speech was greeted with appplause.
While claims about Iran’s nuclear intentions may be subject to debate, their treatment of homosexuals is not.
See also Norm’s take one, and take two.
Tuesday 25 September 2007 at 6:04
in Iran, we do not have homosexuals because they have either fled to Europe, North America or Australia, or, if they were unable to leave the country, have been strung up in public squares.
Saturday 29 September 2007 at 18:11
Now, you see, a statement as glib, ignorant and crass as that from Armadinnerjacket would instantly make me want to.. oh I dunno, get hold of those pictures of Lauren ‘James’ Harries that appeared on Popbitch (being entertained from by a gentlemen friend) last week and photoshop Din’s head onto it.
Then project it onto the Iranian embassy. Or onto several dozen placards that would have got waved around whenever the cameras were on him, making sure the viewers in Iran could always see them.
Private Eye reported that his ‘liberal’ rival Rafsanjani is being smeared by the mullahs in Iran by being shown shaking hands with females whilst on tour in the west, hinting he is immoral.
Since it was blatantly obv that ahmedinejad was trying to big up his profile at home, couldn’t they have had some OUTRAGE!-style man snogging always in camera shot?
I would have thought Peter Tatchell could have done a citizens arrest too. Tatchell sat on Ahmedinijad. I’d pay to see that.
Saturday 29 September 2007 at 18:20
Obviously however I wouldn’t do the above because it is deeply childish and probably offensive.
But chiefly because I don’t have photoshop.