STORIES

LOVE, FEAR, FREEDOM

Iran

The existence of gay men is undeniable in Iran but for over 40 years the Islamic Republic of Iran has denied their existence in the country. In Iran, gays risk execution for their sexual orientation, and the publics' mindset is completely closed to same-sex relationships. Everyday existence is difficult. In post-revolutionary Iran, any type of sexual activity outside a heterosexual marriage is forbidden and the gay sex is punishable by death based on the laws of Sharia. As a result, gay men and women live with systematic suppression, discrimination, family rejection, and judicial problems. They live their lives in fear every day. The idea of freedom still seems remote.

Love, Fear, Freedom follows the story of Ashkan Shabani, an Iranian photographer and member of the LGBTQ+ community himself. After his family found out about his sexual orientation, Askhan was disowned and threatened with rape and death. Ashkan had to escape Iran and leave his partner Eli for his welfare. Now in a safer place, Ashkan was able to reveal a world unknown to many – sharing the actual trauma of the harrowing experience he and his partner have been through.

Women holding the portrait of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei at Pro-government protestors at a rally. For over 40 years the Islamic Republic and religious people have denied that gays exist in the country. In Iran gays risk execution for their sexual orientation and the publics' mindset is completely closed to same-sex relationships.

A self-portrait of Ashkan kissing his partner in a quiet place at a friend’s shop in the night. They met each other here for the first time after meeting through social media almost 7 years ago. Gays live with systematic suppression, discrimination, family rejection, and judicial problems, despite these, under the skin of Tehran and many other cities, gays find ways to overcome these restrictions so they can pursue love.

A portrait of Ali, Ashkan’s partner at the sea side. Ashkan and Ali met on social media as it’s the only place where gays can be themself. Shortly after they fell in love, and the two have been in a relationship for over seven years.

Ashkan and Ali are cuddling in the secrecy of Ali’s room on the last days before Ashkan leaves the country. Ashkan was a closeted gay for almost 13 years until his parents found out and kicked him out of their home.

A self-portrait of Ashkan in a jungle in the north of Iran. since he was outed as gay his life was in danger, his parents were after him to kill him to save their honor, on the other side any type of sexual activity outside a heterosexual marriage is forbidden in Iran and gay sex is punishable by death based on the laws of Sharia, so he had no choice to escape Iran.

A photo of gays being executed in Iran is projected on the wall. Ashkan and Ali feared one day this might happen to them. Iran is among the few countries in the world where gays still risk execution for their sexual orientation based on the laws of Sharia. Human rights activists claim between 4,000 and 6,000 gay men and lesbians have been executed in Iran for crimes related to their sexual orientation since 1979.

Ashkan is packing his luggage in his partner’s room because he needs to leave Iran in order to save his life. He had to leave Ali behind. They have been in a relationship for over seven years and their families didn’t know about their relationship until recently. Ashkan’s father saw him holding his partner’s hand in a park and kicked him out of their home and threatened to rape him until he dies.

A self-portrait of Ashkan in Istanbul International Airport. He is escaping Iran because he has been disowned and threatened with rape and death. Because of the visa requirement for Iranians for most of the countries, he had no choice except to go to Turkey.

A portrait of Ashkan’s partner Ali. Ashkan left his partner alone in Iran but is trying to help him to come to Turkey to be together again. They are separated but still in touch hoping for a better future.

A family picture of Ashkan and his parents at his birthday party. This is the only picture Ashkan has of his parents after they forced him to leave their house. The night they found out their son is gay, they told him he is sick, no longer their son, and kicked him out of the house.

A portrait of Ashkan and Ali. They have been in a relationship for over seven years, and the love between them kept them going through all the hardship they endured but now they are separated, Ashkan is in Turkey, and Ali is still in Iran.

The word "Azadi" (freedom) was written by Ashkan on the window of a motel where he was hiding from his father. Ashkan hopes that one day Iranian gays will have a future that recognizes their existence and provides freedom.