The Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO; fa, سازمان دگرباشان جنسی ایران), also known as the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization, was an advocacy group for

LGBT rights Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality. Notably, ...

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

based in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...

, Canada. The organization was founded by human rights activist

Arsham Parsi Arsham Parsi is an Iranian LGBT human rights activist living in exile in Canada. He is the founder and head of the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees, International Railroad for Queer Refugees. Personal life Parsi was born in Shiraz, Iran. As ...

and monitors violations of gay rights in Iran. Under the Islamic laws of Iran,

homosexuality Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to pe ...

is punishable by death. Arsham Parsi left the organization and founded a new organization called the

Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees The International Railroad for Queer Refugees, formerly known as the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR), is an advocacy group for LGBT rights in Iran. It was founded and is headed by Executive Director Arsham Parsi. It was set up on behal ...

. While living in Iran in 2001, Parsi founded an internet group that later became known as the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization.Esfandiari, Golnaz
Iran: Persian Gay And Lesbian Activist Urges Tolerance.
''Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.'' May 17, 2007. The organization produces a monthly email newsletter called ''Cheraq'' (light) and has 6000 members in Iran. IRQO provided an avenue for homosexuals in Iran to communicate with like minded activists around the world. Following the Iranian election protests in 2009, IRQO distributed an open letter from university students in Iran deploring the state of gay rights in the country. The organization also published a letter from gay Iranian

Mehdi Kazemi Mehdi Kazemi (مهدی کاظمی, born 1989) is an Iranian man who is wanted in Iran for sodomy. Originally in the UK to study, he was granted asylum by Britain in 2008. Background Since the 1979 Iranian revolution, the legal code has been based ...

after his boyfriend was executed and he was at risk for deportation to Iran. In 2008, IRQO was one of the two winners of the

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission OutRight Action International (OutRight) is a LGBTIQ human rights non-governmental organization that addresses human rights violations and abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. OutRight Action International docu ...

's (IGLHRC)

Felipa de Souza Award OutRight Action International (OutRight) is a LGBTIQ human rights non-governmental organization that addresses human rights violations and abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. OutRight Action International docum ...

and

received that award at the New York's ceremony. IRQO dissolved the organization in March 2019.IRQO voluntarily dissolved the organization
March 9, 2019.

References

External links

* {{official website, http://www.irqo.org/english/ LGBT rights in Iran LGBT political advocacy groups in Canada Organizations established in 2007 Non-profit organizations based in Toronto 2007 establishments in Ontario Felipa de Souza Award

See also

References

External links