STORIES

Queer, LIFE, FREEDOM

Iran - Turkey

Although gay men exist in Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran has denied their existence for over 40 years. Gay individuals in Iran face the risk of execution for their sexual orientation, and same-sex relationships are not accepted by the public. Living a normal life is challenging, and any form of sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage is forbidden. Punishments for engaging in gay sex include death, according to Sharia law. This has resulted in systematic suppression, discrimination, family rejection, and judicial problems for gay men and women in Iran. Despite these challenges, they continue to live with hope for a better future, and the Women, Life, Freedom movement has brought the idea of freedom closer than ever before.

"Queer, Life, Freedom" tells the story of Ashkan Shabani, an Iranian photographer and member of the LGBTQ+ community who was disowned by his family and threatened with rape and death after they discovered his sexual orientation. Ashkan had to flee Iran, leaving his partner behind for his safety. He now resides in Turkey, where queer individuals also face systematic suppression and discrimination. Despite the challenges he has faced in both Iran and Turkey, Ashkan is determined to fight the regime from outside his home country, fueled by the Women, Life, Freedom movement and the hope of one day returning to a free Iran and living openly as a free person.

Women hold the portrait of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, at a pro-government rally. For over 40 years, the Islamic Republic and religious leaders have denied the existence of gays in the country. In Iran, gays risk execution for their sexual orientation, and the public's mindset is completely closed to same-sex relationships.

Iranian women wearing hijabs participated in pro-government protests in the north of Iran. The vast majority of Iranians are Muslims and conservatives, and as such, same-sex relationships are not accepted by the public.

A self-portrait of Ashkan and his partner in a quiet place in the northern jungles of Iran by the Caspian sea. They first met here after connecting through social media almost 8 years ago. Despite systematic suppression, discrimination, family rejection, and judicial problems, gays continue to live in Iran. However, under the surface of Tehran and many other cities, gays find ways to overcome these restrictions so they can pursue love.

A self-portrait of Ashkan kissing his partner in a quiet place at a friend's shop at the night. This was one of their hangout spots for years.

Ashkan and Eli at an LGBTQ+ underground party in Tehran. Parties like this are the only times they can express their emotions freely and spend time together without fear of judgment.

A family picture of Ashkan and his parents by the Caspian sea in the north of Iran. 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.

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

Ashkan holding his partner's hand in a quiet place. Ashkan's father saw him holding his partner's hand in a park, and as a result, they kicked him out of their home. Ashkan has been disowned by his family and threatened with rape and death, which forced him to flee Iran for his safety.

The picture of the grand mosque of Isfahan. Gay individuals in Iran face the risk of execution for their sexual orientation, and same-sex relationships are not accepted by the public.

The word "Faggot" is written on the wall of a house near Ashkan's house. Being gay is not accepted in Iran and is considered Taboo and a grave sin both in Public and in the regime.

A photo of gays being executed in Iran is projected on the wall. Ashkan and Eli 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.

A self-portrait of Ashkan. Since he was outed as gay his life was in danger, and 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 the gay sex is punishable by death based on the laws of Sharia, so he had no choice to escape Iran.

A picture of Ashkan's partner Eli sleeping in his bed. Ashkan needed to leave Iran in order to save his life. He had to leave Eli behind. They have been in a relationship for over eight 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 picture of Ashkan's passport and his notes on how he can manage to leave Iran where to can go. Ashkan choose Turkey because traveling he didn't visa and it was the easiest choice for him.

The mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini, the first supreme leader and the founder Islamic Republic of Iran. This mausoleum is the last thing people see on the way to the airport.

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 in most of countries, he had no choice except to go to Turkey.

A view of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, This view was one of the first things Ashkan saw, realizing he was in a new country and would face new challenges. LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey have faced increased discrimination, harassment, and violence.

A self-portrait of Ashkan shows that since he moved to Turkey for his safety, he has faced many new challenges. His partner broke up with him, and he has faced discrimination and racism, among other things. All of these experiences have left him feeling isolated.

People having a fun time in a gay club in Istanbul, one of the few places where queer people can be themselves. LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey have faced increased discrimination, harassment, and violence. The government has also taken steps to limit LGBTQ+ rights, including banning pride marches and other LGBTQ+ events and restricting access to information about LGBTQ+ issues.

A picture Ashkan took with his old analog camera when he was on a ride on a ferry in Istanbul. Since he moved to Turkey for his safety, he faced so many new challenges, his partner broke up with him, faced discrimination and racism and etc. All these made him more isolated day by day.

A self-portrait of Ashkan. Since he moved to Turkey for his safety, he is feeling isolated and under pressure. In Turkey, there is an increase in hate speech and violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ individuals have faced physical attacks, including assaults and murders, as well as verbal abuse and discrimination.

A picture of the one of the many mosques in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish conservative and religious groups protesting for protecting family values aginst LGBTQ+ individuals. Conservative and religious groups in Turkey mostly cite religious and moral objections to homosexuality and transgender identities, and view LGBTQ+ individuals as a threat to traditional values and societal norms. There have been instances of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals by conservative groups, including physical assaults and hate crimes in the past recent years.

A monument of modern Turkey in Istanbul. Conservative and religious groups in Turkey mostly cite religious and moral objections to homosexuality and transgender identities, and view LGBTQ+ individuals as a threat to traditional values and societal norms. There have been instances of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals by conservative groups, including physical assaults and hate crimes in the past recent years.

Turkish conservative and religious groups protesting for protecting family values against LGBTQ+ individuals. Conservative and religious groups in Turkey mostly cite religious and moral objections to homosexuality and transgender identities, and view LGBTQ+ individuals as a threat to traditional values and societal norms. There have been instances of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals by conservative groups, including physical assaults and hate crimes in the past recent years.