Iranian leader Ali Khamenei calls homosexuality a lack of morality
It is no secret that queers in many countries of the world do not have it easy, are discriminated against and even persecuted. However, it is speeches like that of the Iranian head of state Ali Khamenei, among others, that once again leave people speechless.
He recently spoke out about apparently not being able to comprehend how homosexuals can be accepted. Among other things, he also took a sharp verbal shot at the West in this context.
The summarized content of a homophobic speech
Head of State Ali Khamenei is both a religious and political leader. A few days ago, he gave a speech that was at times unsurpassable in terms of homophobia. The whole thing was broadcast on state television and accordingly reached many people.
One of the key points of his statements was to call the being immoral. According to the Reuters news agency, he spoke of a lack of morality in this context with regard to homosexuality. Moreover, he lumped said homosexuality and "things that you can't bring yourself to even talk about." Western civilization, he said, is in some ways an age of ignorance. Greed and money alone would form the basis of Western values.
The war in Ukraine also played a role in his speech. Head of State Ali Khamenei said that the USA was to blame for Russia's invasion of his neighboring country. The real problem, he said, was of America's own making.
How are homosexuals living in Iran?
In Iran, it is forbidden to be homosexual. The whole thing even goes so far that, for example, openly gay men are killed. The number of victims here is now said to be in the four-digit range. However, the number of unreported cases is probably even higher.
Not all executions are officially reported.
Homosexuality is still illegal in many countries of the world
While many countries - especially in the course of the last few years - have developed positively in terms of their tolerance towards the community, there are still nations today where it is simply forbidden to be gay, for example.
In some countries, homosexual acts are "only" punishable by a fine, while in others gays, lesbians and other members of the community have to fear for their lives.
Countries where it is forbidden to be homosexual include Egypt, Algeria, Burundi, Libya, Mauritius and Sudan. The level of punishment varies considerably. While the Central African Republic, for example, punishes homosexual acts with two years imprisonment, in Sudan there is the possibility of actually being imprisoned for life.
Some countries also have double standards when it comes to homosexuality for men and women. In Sierra Leone, for example, it is legal for women to be homosexual. Men can be punished for this with a life sentence.
In Afghanistan, in Brunei and in other countries, there is even the threat of the death penalty. That is why, among other things, there is always talk of people fleeing these countries and seeking protection in another country, for example in Germany, in order to be able to live as they wish. Especially in Europe, a lot has happened here over time. The list of countries where, for example, registered civil partnerships can be realized is getting longer and longer.