Iranian Lesbian: We Are The Denied Identity | March 8 Interview

As a part of women’s community, the Iranian lesbian community faces problems twice more than other women in Iran. For 8 March, International Women’s Day, we have prepared an interview with an Iranian lesbian who is also active in LGBT rights.

*Please introduce yourself and give us a summary of your activities.

My name is Samira, an Iranian Lesbian. Because of lack of support by my family and other issues in the society, I was forced to leave Iran. I am a member of IRQO (Iranian Queer Organization), for now, I am active in LGBT issues and defending LGBT rights, doing researchers to finally improve the awareness of people with cooperation of my friends.

*Dear Samira, why you were forced to leave Iran? What were your problems in Iran? Was it the only solution to leave Iran?

As I mentioned, lack of support by family, problems in the society, by government and people, these are parts of issues that forced me to leave Iran. As you know, Iranian society is Masculism, and being a woman by itself, does not make you have enough civil rights, now imagine a woman who is a lesbian in this society. After many years of being aware of my orientation, I was forced to play a role, always I was forced to reject myself and wear a mask [of a woman who is not lesbian] in favor of my family and society. But it wasn’t me and my “real self” was oppressed. Regarding the last part of your question, I think abandoning and leaving is better than staying and sufferings in humiliation.

*Suppose the family as a small part of society, were you successful in educating your family about your desired issues? What was their reaction?

I tried in many ways, both directly and indirectly, by talking, showing documents, magazines and essays of homosexuals. But the reaction was always not to hear and pretending that this issue does not exist.

*Did you try to change the situation in favor of yourself in Iran? What was the reaction of street women to you?

Unfortunately no because of the fear of everything I couldn’t act or do any awareness in this issue. But I had some friends who I told them about it, they had a very bad reaction and even made me humiliated. But I tried to explain for them that I or any lesbian is not what you think. I always tried to behave like a homosexual, but the only result for me was depression.

*As an Iranian lesbian, how you explain the problems of this part of Iranian women’s society?

The government of Iran emphasizes the forbidding homosexuality by issuing severe sentences and punishments and also giving medical permission for sex-change to hide this issue in the society. In one sentence, we are always the denied identity. I have had [homosexual] friends who had faced misbehavior and discrimination such as being raped in custody, arrested in parties, deprived of education and work.

The punishment for lesbianism (Mosahegheh) involving persons, who are mature, of sound mind, and consenting, is 100 lashes. If the act is repeated three times and punishment is enforced each time, the death sentence will apply on the fourth occasion. (Articles 127, 129, 130) The ways of proving lesbianism in court are the same as for male homosexuality. (Article 128) Non-Muslim and Muslim alike are subject to punishment (Article 130) The rules for the quashing of sentences, or for pardoning, are the same as for the lesser male homosexual offences (Articles 132 and 133) Women who “stand naked under one cover without necessity” and are not relatives may receive a punishment less than 100 lashes. (Article 134)
Iran’s Islamic Penal Code

Our main problems are society and fear of government’s behavior [toward us], lack of freedom of expression and our friendly gatherings and parties can be punished by death penalty. Because of these, we have to hide our sex orientation.

*Have you been supported by international organizations? Basically, how is the connection to these organizations and what are the problems in this way?

Yes, there is an organization called IRQO, as I mentioned above. This organization is managed by Ms. Saghi Ghahreman. As I was entered Turkey, this organization took [the responsibility of] my [UNHCR] case and have done many efforts not only for me, but for many Iranian homosexual friends. Other homosexual friends can contact this organization via their website for help in their cases after they left Iran.

*Did you ever witness any confrontation of the government in this field? For example, do you know any Iranian lesbian being confronted by the government? And, how was the confrontation?

As I mentioned, the punishment for homosexuality is death sentence in Iran, and always this will be a Taboo for government, people and the society. Some time ago, I learned that one of my dear lesbian friends was arrested in Iran, for publishing some issues about homosexuality [on Facebook or blog]. It was many days that we didn’t hear from her, until we learned she had been arrested by Ettela’at (intelligent) agents and after being tortured and threatened for some time, she was released. This shows that our safety is in danger day by day. We don’t have any real psychological and physical safety, because there are no competent authorities to protect us.

*At the end, what is your message for Iranian lesbian community?

That is a good question; it’s better first I address all people, then my lesbian friends. We are homosexual, a human with all differences. We do not have many expectations. We understand that you cannot accept this issue completely, but try to respect our sensations and love. We didn’t choose to be a homosexual. And, my rainbow friends, we were very lucky to be homosexual. Our world is the world of rainbow people. Years ago, even nobody had heard the word homosexual, but in spite of all problems, now we have reached a point that the taboos are being broken little by little. And, this is the beginning of a way that we should be patient and continue with a hope for the freedom of our love.

Ayatollah Khomeini about Lesbianism (Mosahegheh) wrote: “The sex of two women is called Mosahegheh and the ways of proving this crime, are the same as for male homosexuality and the punishment for it is 100 lashes, if they are mature, of sound mind, and consenting. This punishment is the same for married women or single, but it is said if the married women has done Mosahegheh, her sentence is to be stoned, but the more correct is the first sentence (taking 100 lashes but, not to be stoned) and there is no difference between non-Muslim and Muslim and involving persons in punishment.”
Ayatollah Khomeini, Tahrir al-Wasilah, V. 4, P. 201