According to unconfirmed reports, a 14-year-old boy was murdered after the mullah at an Islamic boys’ camp accused him of being gay.
Amir Taheri, a former editor of Iran’s main newspaper Kayhan, first Tweeted the story of Akbar Zargarzadeh’s hanging yesterday:
ISFAHAN- 14 year old Akbar Zargarzadeh hanged from tree in Islamic boys’ camp after camp’s mullah accused him of being gay deserving death.
— Amir Taheri (@AmirTaheri4) July 16, 2015
GayStarNews notes they have been unable to confirm the story independently, and have found no mention of it in the Farsi press or among Iranian LGBT networks.
But that hasn’t stopped others from responding to the accusation.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Benjamin Weinthal, the European Affairs correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, has urged the European Union to weigh in on the alleged murder.
“Lethal homophobia under self-described moderate [Iranian President Hassan] Rouhani,” Weinthal Tweeted.
Hasan Sari, a journalist based in the Middle East, asked: “How is this different from what ISIS does?”
It is currently illegal to be gay in Iran, where punishment can range from imprisonment to execution. However, the Iranian government claims it does not execute people for being gay, but rather over charges of rape or murder.
In 2005, 16-year-old Mahmoud Asgari and 18-year-old Ayaz Marhoni (pictured) were publicly hanged for being gay.
Mike Benevenstanciano
Interesting, all after the nuclear deal. Might want to ask Fox News. What better way to get non Republicans to join their side.
Nathan Eason
so wrong I hope something changes
Achmat Akkad
A black woman was hung in America 2 days ago. Crazy how America media turns a blind eye to injustice against POC in America but can talk about people in Iran Russia ec
William Meyer
Huh?
Ladbrook
But we got a “nuke deal” out of these evil psychopaths… so, you know, it’s cool.
Mike Benevenstanciano
To clarify, report is unconfirmed by multiple news organizations.
M J Martinez Crogan
Drop the bomb on the middle East
Jose Irwin
Sad to have a nutty christian stupid ass in charge of our lives.
Kevin J Desmond
Just nuke that hell hole of a place already, it wouldn’t be a loss to anyone !!!
Gary Langfield
This was a fake report from years ago
ingyaom
If the story is about one boy being hanged, why are they showing a picture of two?
Will Moor
How terrible!
Giancarlo85
This not confirmed. I won’t be surprised if it is though. The nuke deal has nothing to do with this. The West does business with various countries that treats people like shit.
@Achmat Akkad: In the US those who dis that crime will be tried. In Iran, the state condones these crimes.
Xzamilio
@ingyaom: Because as the article stated, those two young men were hanged for being gay (in the photo). Since the report is not confirmed, there are no pictures of the 14 year old circulating.
@Ladbrook: That’s not a fair comparison. Nuclear weapons in the hands of these “evil psychopaths” would serve an even greater threat, not only to us but to their citizens. These are two separate matters, although I would argue that human rights is a bigger and more current issue in the middle east than worrying about what Iran might do with nuclear arms somewhere down the line.
America is bedfellows with Saudi Arabia, a notoriously anti-gay, anti-feminist country that is under Sharia law and executes people routinely. The region is just terrible, and I don’t care who that offends by me saying that. America is no bed of roses, but I’d rather be here than there… by a nautical mile.
Michael Miller
This seems like a highly suspicious story, if not an outright lie intended to cause sabotage in the wake of the nuke agreement with Iran. The source of the story has a problem with credibility & an axe to grind as an Iranian expatriate. Per Mother Jones: http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2007/11/amir-taheri-story. And then youâ??ve got an Israeli journalist, who seems to have it in for Iran & the nuke deal too, demanding a reaction from the West? Itâ??s a head game targeted at Western liberals in order to soften support for the nuclear treaty â?? donâ??t play along.
RobvR
“Benjamin Weinthal, the European Affairs correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, has urged the European Union to weigh in on the murder.” What murder? So far it’s nothing more than a rumour. If it’s true, please critize Iran. If it’s not, please find out who started the lie. Even for Iranian standards this is barbarian. There’s usually a fake trial. This would be plain mob rule. Doubt this is true.
man5996853
@Achmat Akkad: This is a gay news site, you fucking idiot.
Stache99
Even if it is fake so what. They hang gay people there pretty regularly in public squares. Horrible way to die too. They just lift then up and they slowly suffocate.
McShane
@ingyaom: It’s a photo from the 2005 execution of Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Asgari_and_Ayaz_Marhoni
Stache99
@Achmat Akkad: Well, stop the press!! So in other words, concern over anything else now is considered racism? You’re free to start your own blog btw.
Stache99
@McShane: Yes and if you’d of read the article completely you would’ve seen this..
“In 2005, 16-year-old Mahmoud Asgari and 18-year-old Ayaz Marhoni (pictured) were publicly hanged for being gay.”
Trippy
I realize it’s rather un-PC right now to point this out, but at some point Western culture (led by us, I guess) is going to have to address the deeply ingrained and incredibly violent homophobia in various middle eastern countries. We spoke out against Putin and we have no problem criticizing Christians, but the most deadly hatred is mostly found in places like Iran and Saudi Arabia. I’m not sure Obama is ready to take that on, but a future president is going to have to. And soon.
Ryan Hall
This photo has been used before
McShane
WOW! My bad. Sorry.@Stache99: I’ll shut up now.
KM201
Yet we just had to have a nuclear arms deal, negotiated by anti gay bigots in Germany, that we know Ali Khamenei is just going to break when it’s convenient for him to do so. Great. Typical.
As much as I have all but turned on the Israeli’s for their horrific genocidal actions towards the Palestinians and its equally terrible treatment towards Jewish blacks, women, religious minorities and gays, they aren’t wrong to distrust this Iranian regime’s intention for wanting a deal. It is a bad one, but unfortunately the only other alternative isn’t any better. Teaming up with the equally barbaric Saudi Arabians to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities and risk World War 3 ain’t going to cut it. Honestly, I don’t know what should be done. All I know is this is the Munich agreement of our lifetime and it isn’t going to end well for anyone involved.
Maybe, in the interim to a revelation of actual nuclear weapons, we can use the instability in the region to press Iran’s enemies to foster more humanitarian aid to its oppressed people and ask them to amend anti gay laws in their respective nations. At a time of weakness, maybe this could be a moment of strength for our movement and our community. If we join the right side, we may be able to change the lives of many gays and lesbians throughout the Middle East. Who knows. Just a thought.
Captain Obvious
America: World Police
I give it 1 out of 5 stars.
George Jesse Brooks Jr
The people who put the there hide there face pussies
RobvR
@EVERYONE: Watch “par suffocation” on youtube!!!! Very short, yet left me breathless. Gives a whole new dimension to this article. Only seven minutes but better then words could ever pursuede.
Kangol
Absolutely disgusting. The sick monsters behind this ought to be strung up.
Now can someone tell me how gay people are treated in the US’s dear friend country Saudi Arabia?
Oh, I think we know the answer. (Hint: it beheads gay people. Sound familiar?)
Maybe Queerty or any news outlet in the US can report on how the Saudis treat LGBTIQ people.
Kangol
@Achmat Akkad: Sandra Bland was hanged in her cell, it appears, in Texas. The state murder of black people in the US seems to be happening on a daily basis. I think Queerty focused on this (true? untrue?) story because of the gay angle.
Also really crazy that people on here are calling for Iran to be nuked, when other countries treat LGBTIQ people as brutally. Just be an openly gay person in Uzbekistan, say, or Uganda, or Myanmar. Or Egypt, Saudi Arabia or Iraq.
Guess what: you will be taking your life into your own hands! Iran has distinguished company, people, including some of the US’s close pals.
The Village Elder
Here’s a thought for all you idiots whose solution is to bomb the middle east. How many innocent people will die with your bomb? To avenge the innocent people murdered by religious scum your answer is to mass murder anybody who lives there? You’re a complete fool. Find a disease that only affects religious bigots and I’ll be happy to fly around the world and dump that virus.
And Please, I don’t ever need to see that picture again. It serves no purpose other than to make us feel helpless because we cannot save those two boys. We know it happens. We don’t need it rubbed in.
Finrod
@M J Martinez Crogan: “Drop the bomb on the middle East”
What a great way to help Iranian gay people — nuke them!!!
Alistair Wiseman
@The Village Elder:
“Find a disease that only affects religious bigots and I’ll be happy to fly around the world and dump that virus.”
How about gay bigots like yourself?
John Hancock
DISGUSTING!!!
Bruce Jensen
That is so sad
Alistair Wiseman
@KM201:
“As much as I have all but turned on the Israeli’s [sic] for their horrific genocidal actions towards the Palestinians and its equally terrible treatment towards Jewish blacks, women, religious minorities and gays….”
What a completely irresponsible and ignorant statement to make. The only place in the Middle East where “…Jewish blacks, women, religious minorities and gays…” are safe and treated with respect and human dignity is Israel. I don’t see gays flocking to Tehran, Riyadh, Kabul, etc., but they do to Tel Aviv.
Alexander R. Rodriguez
Yet these are the people that Obama moved heaven and earth to do a nuke deal with. But please……keep supporting him
Alistair Wiseman
@Achmat Akkad:
“A black woman was hung [sic] in America 2 days ago. Crazy how America [sic] media turns a blind eye to injustice against POC in America….”
The FBI is investigating the circumstances surrounding the (suicide) death of Sandra Bland. How do I know this? Because the “America(n) media (that) turns a blind eye to injustice against POC” have been reporting about this in the mainstream media. This includes American newspapers with the largest circulations – New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, etc.
So the next time you slander America and its media, you may want to get your story straight.
bottom250
I am so in tears right now my darlings. This is so incredibly sad.
Halina Tantau
Only bomb is solution for Midle east !! They do what’s suits them ! There is any other country in this world that can bombard them ????
Nathan Diesel
I don’t think the “Like” button is appropriate for this.
William Thomas Bramlett II
The pic is from years ago when two teens where hung for being gay. I was in my very early twenties and I was scared to death and sad and angery. The look on that boys face…like he believes it’s gonna be all alright. That they won’t kill him..that he can go home when it’s over.
Saint Law
@Alistair Wiseman: You’re good at contortions, right? Sh*t in your own mouth, moron.
Until very recently there was no official obligation to even compile stats on how many people (overwhelmingly Black and Hispanic people) are killed by police. So the fact that select news outlets cover them (sometimes) is small consolation. And yes that is a direct reflection on the state of your country.
If that upsets you so much perhaps you should relocate to one with a more enlightened criminal justice system (hint Not Israel).
Saint Law
@Alistair Wiseman: “the (suicide) death of Sandra Bland.” What a fucking prick you are.
Branden Reeves
ð??«ð???ð??¤ð??ð???
NoCagada
@Achmat Akkad: “SILENCE! I KILL YOU! THEN I KILL YOU AGAIN!”
Alex Rothwell
Disgusting for this to happen.
SalvadorAble Sandoval
This is horrible. The fact that the guys are covering their faces show how much of a bitch they really are.
Captain Obvious
@Alexander R. Rodriguez: …You think this was something Obama wanted? He was literally forced to make this deal. He’s the first president in decades to focus on America and not world policing. His hands were tied.
Dustin Larkin
I have seen this pic before in a different ISIS storyline…
The Village Elder
@Alistair Wiseman: @I am a bigot when it comes to freaks who hide behind some phony ass god and murder innocent people. Find someplace else to troll or better yet go pray for your own lack of a soul
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: WISEASS is back at it with his right wing snipes and stupid remarks. Nobody cares what a wiseass like you has to say. And I knew you were just a right wing mental idiot. What is a “gay bigot”?
@Alistair Wiseman: Wiseass spouting off more propaganda. Are you really this dense? Israel is an APARTHEID state. They don’t treat others equally. And Israeli Arabs are a seperated class and are at major disadvantages in the country. Israel is a right wing bigoted state. By the way, you might want a reality check… Israel has been rolling back gay rights for several years now as the religious right takes over the country. Have you seen the current asshole they have in power? He’s a raving war monger, and he doesn’t respect human rights at all.
Distortion is the best thing your right wing demented mind does.
Giancarlo85
@Alexander R. Rodriguez: Considering republicans are in bed with the Iranians, you might want to rethink that statement dumbass.
Hussain-TheCanadian
I have a major problem with Amir Tahari, the source of this story. He works for both the Saudi owned Al-arabia and Middle east news based out of London and the man is a known propagandist. Also I refuse to allow politicians, propagandists and war mongerers to drop bombs on other human beings in the name of our community.
Transiteer
Religion is a barbaric thing of the past. See how its violent and murderous? Al Lah was so much better a god when he was just the head god of the rock gods. Now he’s just an excuse for violent mentally unstable people to murder others and keep the “mob” with them. Secularism is the true religion – peace and compassion everywhere. Not corpses and heads . . . .
Alistair Wiseman
@Transiteer:
“Secularism is the true religion – peace and compassion everywhere.”
You are correct that Secularism is a religion. However, history teaches us it is not the utopian dream you think it is.
Ever hear of Joseph Stalin? Mao Zedong? Khmer Rouge? These, along with others, are secular regimes.
In the 20th century alone, people were slaughtered under Secularist God-denying governments, and in the name of secularist ideologies, such as Nazism and Communism.
Communism alone is responsible for the slaughter, starvation and murder of upwards of 100 million victims in the 20th century.
Alistair Wiseman
@The Village Elder:
I’m glad to see you have confirmed your own religious bigotry.
Timothy Ronald Pell
Iran terrifies me
The Village Elder
It really isn’t about religion though is it…it’s about cowardly little hate mongers who run behind some holy book and say “god hates you and I’m just doing gods work by killing you” Since you know so little about people who post you might want to keep your mouth shut rather than prove your name to be a misnomer.
If people want to live their lives according to a faith in some higher power that’s their business. When a piece of shit kills innocent people because their god thing gives them permission it feel real justified in calling them out and maybe even taking them out if they are proven killers. That bunch of swine that murdered those two boys need to be removed from the playing field. Prison or death works for that goal.
Large Marge
“Go to camp”, they said. “It’ll be fun”, they said.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: You are lying again. Almost none of the leaders you cited were secularist. You are an abhorrent failure when it comes to writing a logical argument. And Hitler was a catholic. You should know better. Take your right wing dribble somewhere else. Religions have been responsible for more mass murder than secularism ever has been.
You are a nasty right wing revisionist. You have no clue what you are talking about.
Desert Boy
The Iranians are Obama’s new BFFs. No conditions of human rights with his anti-Israel deal either. Shit, Obama even failed to win the release of the four Americans being held in Iran by these cretins.
Blackceo
The amount of stupid in this post is higher than normal. The nuclear deal with Iran isn’t absolving them of their other human rights atrocities. Who said that? Who tried to claim that? It was about focusing on one particular issue to get them in check with their nuclear program.
Giancarlo85
@Desert Boy: Oh please. Congress is pushing that deal, not Obama. You are incredibly STUPID. Do you have any other ignorance to share?
Ignoramuses are rampant on here.
Stache99
@Alistair Wiseman: So your standing up for bigots huh?
Stache99
@Alistair Wiseman: Dude learn some history before opening your trap. You remind me of that tea beggar with the sign..”Morans”.
Dave084
Coming from a die-hard liberal. I don’t give a shit about political correctness. Whether this story is true or not evidently the one about the pictured boys is true. There is no room on this planet for these barbaric fuckwads who murder in the name of their bullshit religion. I don’t care what religion it is. The same is true for the dickweed Christian militants who want theocratic rule in this country. If there’s going to be some public hangings, they’re hanging the wrong people.
ddean
I agree. Just nuke them.
Tolga Bilbasar
Mother fuckers
Giancarlo85
So yea just bomb more countries? I take it the “die hard liberals”… rather NEO-CONSERVATIVES think bombing everything makes it better. Really worked wonders in Iraq didn’t it?
Stache99
I read that these negotiations mean Iran oil will start flowing again which will drop the cost of gas nationally to $2.00/gallon.
Alistair Wiseman
@The Village Elder:
“If people want to live their lives according to faith in some higher power that’s their business.”
We agree!
The world currently has a major problem with radicalized Islamic terrorism. (The monsters that throw homosexuals from builds are certain to be Muslims following the religious Sharia law.) These terrorists cannot be negotiated with and must be destroyed.
These terrorists do a great disservice to the people of the Islamic faith and people of faith in general.
Alistair Wiseman
@Stache99:
“So your standing up for bigots, huh?”
How so?
@Stache99:
“Dude learn some history before opening your trap.”
I stand by my comments. Look it up for yourself.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“Almost none of the leaders you cited were secularist.”
“And Hitler was a catholic [sic].”
Yes, Hitler was raised Catholic just as Stalin was born into the Russian Orthodox Church and Mao was raised a Buddhist. These facts prove nothing as many people reject their religious upbringing, as these three did.
So in addition to the mountain of corpses that God-hating regimes of Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot and others have produced, we must add the body count of the God-hating Nazi regime. The Nazis, like the Communists, deliberately targeted the churches and the believers because they wanted to create a new man and a new utopia.
Stache99
Funny that you say that when all you have to do is a simple google and you’ll see tons of pics of Priests and Bishops doing the Nazi salute. Then they helped the Nazi’s escape justice. Not sure what they were targeted for other then their help.
Alistair Wiseman
@Stache99:
Publicly, was the Nazi salute an option or was it mandatory? The salute wasn’t a choice.
Regardless, it changes nothing regarding the Secularism of the Nazi regime and its philosophy.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“What is a gay bigot?”
A person who happens to be gay who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions; who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group.
Unfortunately, there are several bigots who post comments to Queerty. Sound familiar?
onthemark
@Alistair Wiseman: Hitler was hardly a “secularist.” He was fascinated with astrology, the occult in general, and pagan mythology as in Wagner operas. It’s well-documented that if he won the war, he had plans to replace Christianity, which he considered too polluted by Judaism, with a more “German” religion.
@Stache99: But come on Stache, you know better! Yeah, Hitler was a nominal Catholic but in a majority Protestant country, where that divide had always been A Very Big Deal to say the least for about 400 years. The kaisers and most royalty (outside of Bavaria) had been Protestant, and in the ’20s in ’30s the vast majority of the big businessmen were Protestant. In breaking into and taking over the establishment as a low-class Catholic (from Austria yet), he claimed to be the defender of conventional morality, yadda yadda yadda. You just can’t take every seemingly pro-religious quote of Hitler in the ’20s & ’30s at face value.
Desert Boy
@Giancarlo85: Listen up douchebag, Congress is likely to reject Obama’s nuke deal with Iran. Congress had nothing to do with the deal. You should read a news paper sometime and put down the porn.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: The world has a major problem with idiots like you who distort the reality and insist on bombing every country. The world also has a major problem with certain countries thinking they can police the world.
@Alistair Wiseman: ” These facts prove nothing as many people reject their religious upbringing, as these three did.”
INCORRECT. Hitler often cited the bible throughout his diatribes and was tied closely to the catholic church.
“So in addition to the mountain of corpses that God-hating regimes of Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot and others have produced, we must add the body count of the God-hating Nazi regime. ”
You suffer from severe historical revisionism. None of them were secularists, and they were all quite religious. You are a major liar.
By the way don’t use “sic” when no typo was made. That makes you look like a self righteous dumbass.
@Alistair Wiseman: “A person who happens to be gay who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions; who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group.”
No such thing, liar. Again you’re distorting and lying because people simply disagree with religion on here. You don’t have any clue about what you’re talking about and you’re just espousing what you hear on Fox News.
@Desert Boy: Like most right wing gay shitbags, you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Republicans are pushing the deal, you stupid ignoramus. If you were to put down the fucking newspaper (sorry it’s not helping you!), you would realize that fact.
These stupid right wing douchebags infest these articles… time to kick some of these losers out. They don’t know their history, they don’t shit about politics and they don’t know what is going on in this world. This neo-conservative crap has caused much of the mess.
Giancarlo85
Where have these right wing douchebags been?
Calling gay people on here “gay bigots”? Who the fuck gives you that right to do that? You are the BIGOT for endorsing BIGOTED behavior and beliefs. And then you call for bombing other countries. That has solved a lot.
You self righteous right wing pompous shitheads don’t realize you created ISIL. YOU FUCKING CREATED THE MESS and now you have the audacity to blame others for it? SERIOUSLY GO FUCK YOURSELVES! Never have I met such ignorant, mind numbingly STUPID people in my life.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Funny how you’re the real bigot on here as demonstrated by your right wing paranoia.
You people just don’t realize the mess you’ve made. You probably voted republican. You created ISIL. The blood is on your FUCKING HANDS. You and your illegal wars and demented minds!
Clark35
This is sick.
blackberry finn
@Achmat Akkad: The incident with the black woman in Texas was reported immediately, together with the amateur video of her arrest, so you have no right to critique this story being reported in the West where it likely won’t ever be in Iran.
Giancarlo85
I am still laughing at how warped and demented some minds are on here. Maybe idiots like desertboy should do less reading of American media and investigation. Reading a newspaper doesn’t properly inform people.
These right wingers are beyond stupid and beyond help.
Alistair Wiseman
@onthemark:
My original comment was about Secularism and the evils that have manifested from it. There are many quotes from Hitler that are religious in nature. However, Hitler himself says in Mein Kampf that his public statements should be understood as propaganda that bears no relation to the truth but is designed to sway the masses.
‘Hitler’s Table Talk’, is a collection of Hitler’s private opinions, assembled by a close aide during the war years, shows Hitler to be rabidly anti-religious. He called Christianity one of the “scourges” of history.
All of this aside, my point was never about Hitler specifically, but rather his Reich’s secular philosophy. Paganism, astrology and occultism were never implemented into Nazism en masse. The Nazis stopped celebrating Christmas and the Hitler Youth recited a prayer thanking the Fuhrer rather than God for their blessings. Churches were under constant Gestapo surveillance. Uncooperative clergy were imprisoned, many were simply murdered.
Nazi Germany became regarded as godless and secular, betraying all of Germanys traditional and religious beliefs.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Until I get a clear answer, I’m going to ask you again.
Why all the gratuitous, ad hominem attacks?
You don’t attack my arguments, you attack me. Just like you personally attack all others that disagree with you.
Leftists do not just disagree with conservatives but hate the conservative person, paint them as bad people who should not be heard and demand strict agreement with them. Otherwise, they will attack you personally rather than attacking your ideas.
Leftists need to stop this McCarthyism behavior. Learn to be civil, respect their opponents and learn to disagree and communicate that disagreement in a polite and clear manner.
If we cannot dialogue in a civil manner, there is no hope for a harmonious society.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: You are a revisionist and a rabid liar. Hitler cited religion in just about every speech he made and was considered deeply aligned with the Catholic Church. The church was complicit with both Hitler and Mussolini. You are making things up in order to slander secular people with outright false statements and myths.
@Alistair Wiseman: Your views disgust me to the core. They are sickening and go up against all the facts. You are also intellectually dishonest and fail to back up your revisionist statements. People like you anger me because you seriously believe the delusions you espouse.
The conservative belief system has been responsible for some of the most prolific killers of the last two centuries. Hitler, Pinochet, Videla… All right wing conservatives closely tied to the church.
You are passive aggressive and engaging in highly disingenuous character attacks on leftists. You proceed to compare us to Hitler. You already committed multiple logical fallacies, including violating Godwins law. You have done nothing to earn my respect. You continue to engage in slander and lies. Your entire belief system is based on fantasies and delusions.
Giancarlo85
And it is funny you cite McCarty. Another right wing conservative. Your argument style is like his. A whole lot of talk and an empty suitcase. You have nothing to back up your hateful and repugnant views. You need to come back to reality.
Giancarlo85
@Giancarlo85: Correction: Desertboy and the revisionist Alistair should do more investigation independent of the American media. It is obvious the two base their beliefs on what they see on Fox news.
According to these two, conservatives are angels and can do no wrong. They then accuse leftists and secularists of being killers. This is nasty passive aggressive argument that has no basis in reality. Conservatism is a disease on society and has damaged so many countries. It is responsible for widespread death and murder throughout the twentieth century. One can look at all the deeply religious military junta leaders that killed tens if not hundreds of thousands throughout Latin America.
Angels? More like prolific hypocrites and liars.
Bob LaBlah
What makes these stories coming out of Iran and the middle east in general is there are NEVER any pictures of the victims accompanying the stories. I am not saying the murders “didn’t” occur but it just seems strange the story gets reported to the press and in this day and age (where people in Bangladesh even have cell phone cameras to capture pictures of loved ones and other events, whether picture of video and can post them on the internet in a heart beat) not one picture of the victim surfaces.
Cam
And being gay is also illegal in Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, UAE, should I go on?
But wait, the Log Cabiners hate any deal Obama is involved in, so now they get to pretend that somehow Iran is different than the rest of the Middle East with regard to LGBTs
Bob LaBlah
@Cam: It’s not exactly welcomed with open arms in Israel either. To this day the killer of those five gay kids in front of the gay youth center in Tel Aviv back in 2009 has not been caught. Not only was there practically NO protest from the Jewish community in NYC about their killings but it seems not much effort was put in finding him by the Israelis police in Israel either. What does that tell you about “open arms” acceptance in the entire middle east?
Giancarlo85
Israel actually scaled back the few advancements they had with equal rights with recent conservative governments. Netanyahu is a right wing fanatic. No other way around it. Israel had the chance to elect someone who was a tad bit more moderate and failed.
Alistair Wiseman
@Cam:
Republicans, including “Log Cabiners”, are not happy with President Obama’s Iran Deal.
From the Log Cabin Republican press release dated July 14, 2015:
“Log Cabin Republicans has long held the position that any deal with Iran that does not include consideration of human rights abuses against women, religious minorities, and gays is a bad deal. This is a bad deal.” Log Cabin Republicans National Director Gregory T. Angelo stated. “Secretary Kerry has achieved nothing more than the most modest of concessions, while Iran will continue to kill gay people and people merely suspected of being gay, all while moving ever-closer to nuclear weaponization. Log Cabin Republicans shares the grave concerns about this deal expressed by our allies in Congress, and will continue to stand in solidarity with our gay brethren in Iran and Israel – even if the Obama administration will not.”
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Israel is the most advanced in the Middle East.
You really should check out your story before post. Two, not five, people were murdered and the Israeli police investigation lasted almost 4 years.
How long would the investigation lasted in ANY other Middle Eastern country? Oh, that’s right – they would have been thrown from the top of a building to their death.
Hussain-TheCanadian
@Alistair Wiseman: I don’t think its fair to compare Israel with the rest of its Arab neighbors because Arab monarchs and military dictatorships suppress, oppress, and infringe on the rights of all its citizens.
Also Syria and Iraq, before the American invasion and the highjacked Syrian revolution, gay life and culture flourished. As for Israel, i’m beginning to fear for our gay brothers and sisters.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: A stupid press release considering the continue to endorse any form of republican that runs against democrats. You are a hypocrite of the worst kind. Log Cabiners are disgusting people who are fine with a political party that has ties to “The Fellowship”.
@Alistair Wiseman: No. I actually think even Turkey is more advanced to Israel. Though Turkey is technically Asia Minor (Anatolia). Israel has been busy rolling back rights because of right wing governments (the log cabiners love Netanyahu).
Israel is an apartheid state. They treat Arab Israelis as a sub class and that just about says it all. You are in a major state of DENIAL.
Giancarlo85
Netanyahu makes Ariel Sharon look liberal. I fear for LGBTQQI rights in Israel too. Netanyahu is staunchly opposed to LGBTQQI equality. His government includes some far right wing ultra-orthodox Jews.
Log Cabiners are a disgusting group trying to politically profit off the plight of gay people in Iran and Israel. They are a group of mostly straight men too.
Look at it this way… these asshat Log Cabiners always sell us out in America, what makes you think they won’t do it in Israel? Log Cabiners are more concerned about supporting Netanyahu. They don’t give two shits about gay people.
Netanyahu has ignored LGBTQQI people in Israel, but also has used them as a political pawn for leverage over Iran.
Bob LaBlah
@Alistair Wiseman: Check YOUR numbers. The last count had it at three. Your lame ass defense proves what I said about the NYC community and how much of a flying EFF they gave once it was discovered that the kids were gay. I swear those of YOU in NYC are amongst the most hypocritical of them all. I go no further but you know damn well where I am coming from and stand totally by it with your clandestine defense “how long would the investigation lasted in ANY other Middle Eastern country?”.
Has it occurred to you that Israel is suppose to be the most “westernized” country over there? By that alone, and this is murder we are talking about, shouldn’t this still be an ongoing investigation and at least SOMETHING been said by now as to where/how it went/is going?
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
“Check YOUR numbers. The last count had it at three.”
It was in 2009, I think they can stop counting! Two, not three, were murdered. Earlier reports stated that there were three victims, this proved to be inaccurate. Fifteen were injured with several in serious condition.
I don’t understand your criticism of the New York City community concerning this issue. Why are they “hypocritical”, especially considering that this act of evil occurred half a globe away. Actually, several American cities held vigils including Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. According to the glaad.org website, New York City had their vigil on August 5th at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“Israel actually scaled back the few advancements they had with equal rights with recent conservative governments.”
Really? I’m very interested to learn more about your claim regarding Israel. Please list the top 3 scale backs in equal rights that Netanyahu has implemented.
1.
2.
3.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“Netanyahu is staunchly opposed to LGBTQQI equality.”
Really? How so? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent out a special video message to the LGBT community in February 2015.
@Giancarlo85:
“They (Log Cabin) are a group of mostly straight men too.”
You are hilarious. Where do you get this stuff. How is Log Cabin a group of mostly straight men? Yes, I’m sure straight men are lining up to join Log Cabin Republicans!
Alistair Wiseman
@Hussain-TheCanadian:
“I don’t think it is fair to compare Israel with the rest of its Arab neighbors because Arab monarchs and military dictatorships suppress, oppress, and infringe on the rights of all of its citizens.”
As for the comparison of Israel and its Arab neighbors; shouldn’t a country be evaluated and judged on the totality of what it has created? Who created Arab monarchs and military dictatorships? Canada? The United Nations? Their own countries created and allow these conditions and are responsible for their existence.
When Israel was founded in 1948, it was a barren country with no natural resources, little water and more than half its land mass desert. Today, the Israelis have turned their country (which is the size of New Jersey) into an oasis of technology and innovation. Israel has become one of the leading players in the world of high-tech innovation, attracting international giants to its shores.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: You are living in fantasy. Netanyahu has done nothing for the community. And he only serves the interests of his political party and its allies. Israel isn’t the most advanced and it is an apartheid state. No advancements have been made on marriage equality or employment protection in Israel under the far right government. You are the one living in fantasy. Some PR video doesn’t speak for reality.
It is hilarious you didn’t respond to most of my post. Israel is a problem state and causes nothing but war in the region. Maybe it is time for you to get your head out of the clouds and look at reality?
The Log Cabin group is just there to save face. Most gay people left that group years ago. The group endorses antigay Republicans simply because they are Republican. Log Cabiners are a bunch of self serving hypocrites, much like yourself. They have done nothing for the community and only endorse Republicans no matter what.
And your suggestion about Israel being a leader of technology and innovation. Laughable at best. Israel has very high levels of debt, a fragile economy and inflation. They also feel the need to steal technology.
Cam
@Bob LaBlah:
Oh god, don’t tell me you’re one of those crazy pink washing people.
You want to know how different Israel is on gay rights? Let’s skip the fact that Israel recognizes foreign gay marriages and allows gay couples to adopt and serve in the military. How about this, The Palestinian gay rights group, is based in Israel because they would be arrested or killed if they based in Palestine.
Oh yes, but there is no difference.
Bob LaBlah
@Cam: @Alistair Wiseman:
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/02/world/fg-israel-shooting2
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
First, you said 5 were killed, then 3, and I see your sticking with 3.
As I said in my previous post, “Earlier reports stated that there were three victims, this proved to be inaccurate.”
May I suggest a search engine, perhaps Google?
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“The Log Cabin group is just there to save face. Most gay people left that group years ago.”
Well apparently, since you told me Log Cabin is “a group of mostly straight men”!!!
Bob LaBlah
@Alistair Wiseman: Were you smart (or were I you) I would have shut the fuck up like the rest of’um up in ol’ Brooklyn..(hint,wink). You only confirmed the worst of stereotypes by lamely trying to deflect the obvious, no one cares about the GAY ones. Murder is murder and the investigation should never close. Try arguing with common sense all you want but that is exactly how you put it, more or less. If they closed it, they closed it.
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
I don’t live in Israel, so I don’t know their process regarding aging murder cases. I think it is safe to say that you don’t either.
I live in America. Even in America, murder cases grow old and become stale and inactive. Do you think every murder case is solved in America? There is no statue of limitations for murder in America. However, that does not mean old cases are still being pursued. You have heard of “cold cases”?
I still don’t understand your references to New York, now it’s Brooklyn.
Hussain-TheCanadian
@Alistair Wiseman: 1) How do you think those Monarchs and military dictatorships came to power in every single Arab country?
With all due respect, most of the citizens are victims of oppression, and much of their attitudes are reflected in living in such an oppressive social, political, and religious environment.
The Arab spring, which was hijacked both internally and externally to those countries, is just a small expression of revolt by the Arabs against their tyrannies. So your cavalier attitude is quite puzzling I must admit.
2) As for your praises of Israeli society, what you say is somewhat true, some it is pure propaganda – There are money books written by Jews about the issues with the Israeli government and society, shows how militant, fascist, one sided, and religious it is, far from being a Western type liberal democracy.
Also please explain why gay Israelis, or even straight Israelis, of different religions or backgrounds, can’t marry each other inside Israel?
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: They are indeed a group of mainly straight men. Gay republicans are oxymorons and a rarity. Your posts have shrunk further and further… showing how you have nothing new to say. You don’t have much of a clue.
@Alistair Wiseman: Israeli Police have not acted professionally and failed to investigate