Thanks you U.K. for saving his life. To bad the U.S. probably would not have done the same.

I hope all those blogs and posts and e-mails to the Home Office in UK helped. I have thought about this guy almost every day since I read his story. How sad, even though he is alive, now he is basically cut off from his culture, (yes I know, in many ways a good thing) most of his friends and family.

To bad the U.S. probably would not have done the same.

Actually, the USA would have required a lower burden of proof and grants asylum to MOST Iranians "of controversy" who make it to US soil as a matter of policy.

The constant US-bashing annoys me. He'd have had an easier time here than in the UK.

The fact is, Brian Miller, there would probably have been an organised campaign by the insane Christians in the US, such a thing would never conceivably happen in Europe. Besides, the US deserves to be bashed when it comes to gay rights.

Congratulations to Mehdi Kazemi. No one should have to undergo the tortures he endured at the hands of the ayatollahs and the insular idiots who create policy for the English Home Office. I wish him the best for a happier and successful life.

And congratulations to Omar Kuddus at gayasylum uk and the many other activists from all over the world who helped ignite the campaign to get asylum for Mehdi. Their work is a vindication of the tactic of using the glare of publicity to help reactionary bureaucrats to see the light. I hope the efforts for the many others who desperately need asylum here and in the EU are also successful.

By nature of my very religious profession I am decidedly a closeted homosexual. Therefore I understand the gravity of this Iranian fellow's situation (i live in the USA) and hope others like he and myself, find safety and sanctuary in countries like U.K.

CitizenGeek, you're absolutely right about the US. For instance more than one imported Latino worker with HIV/AIDS has died for want of meds while in the custody of ICE.

We all live in nations that don't guarantee our full equality. England has some good new laws but it's refusal to call civil partnerships marriage is more than just an arrogant slap in the face: it says we're second class citizens. And you know about our problems here. Likewise the rest of us are aware that the Republic of Ireland and Poland are two of the most priest ridden countries in the EU and their reactionary governments reflect that. (It's even worse in the occupied north of Ireland where a gang of bible fascist, gun toting thugs disguised as a political party named the DUP runs the colonialist government.

Instead of wrangling over whose government is worse lets concentrate on helping each other change them all.

Brian Miller, the US is a cesspool of racism, misogyny and homophobia. Why do defend a social system as depraved as that?

Bill Perdue: Here you go again, ranting and raving against the United States. You clearly have an anger management problem and are full of hatred. I base this conclusion on this and other articles to which you've commented. If you truly hate the United States as much as you seem to, why not leave it, once and for all??? That will make the rest of us happy – for you!!

I’m staying. Otherwise I’d miss the fun. “To knock a thing down, especially if it is cocked at an arrogant angle, is a deep delight of the soul." –Santayana

Bill Perdue: Clearly, you're a sadist. Period.