Exiled for Love: The Journey of an Iranian Queer Activist

To be gay in Iran means to live in the shadow of death. The country’s harsh Islamic code of Lavat is used to execute gay men, and LGBT individuals who avoid execution are often subjected to severe lashings, torture and imprisonment. It was in this unforgiving environment that Arsham Parsi came to terms with his identity as a gay man.

When a close friend committed suicide after his family learned he was gay, Arsham felt compelled to act. Risking his life as well as the safety of his family, he used the anonymity of the Internet to speak out about the human rights abuses against LGBT people in his country. In 2005 Parsi learned that an order had been issued for his arrest and execution. He was forced to seek refuge in neighbouring Turkey until, thirteen months later, he was granted asylum in Canada.

Exiled for Love follows Parsi’s incredible journey from his first understanding of his sexual orientation to his eventual exile. It explores the reality for LGBT people in Iran through the deeply personal and inspiring story of his life, escape and continuing work.

1121218998
Exiled for Love: The Journey of an Iranian Queer Activist

To be gay in Iran means to live in the shadow of death. The country’s harsh Islamic code of Lavat is used to execute gay men, and LGBT individuals who avoid execution are often subjected to severe lashings, torture and imprisonment. It was in this unforgiving environment that Arsham Parsi came to terms with his identity as a gay man.

When a close friend committed suicide after his family learned he was gay, Arsham felt compelled to act. Risking his life as well as the safety of his family, he used the anonymity of the Internet to speak out about the human rights abuses against LGBT people in his country. In 2005 Parsi learned that an order had been issued for his arrest and execution. He was forced to seek refuge in neighbouring Turkey until, thirteen months later, he was granted asylum in Canada.

Exiled for Love follows Parsi’s incredible journey from his first understanding of his sexual orientation to his eventual exile. It explores the reality for LGBT people in Iran through the deeply personal and inspiring story of his life, escape and continuing work.

12.99 In Stock
Exiled for Love: The Journey of an Iranian Queer Activist

Exiled for Love: The Journey of an Iranian Queer Activist

Exiled for Love: The Journey of an Iranian Queer Activist

Exiled for Love: The Journey of an Iranian Queer Activist

eBook

$12.99  $20.99 Save 38% Current price is $12.99, Original price is $20.99. You Save 38%.

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

To be gay in Iran means to live in the shadow of death. The country’s harsh Islamic code of Lavat is used to execute gay men, and LGBT individuals who avoid execution are often subjected to severe lashings, torture and imprisonment. It was in this unforgiving environment that Arsham Parsi came to terms with his identity as a gay man.

When a close friend committed suicide after his family learned he was gay, Arsham felt compelled to act. Risking his life as well as the safety of his family, he used the anonymity of the Internet to speak out about the human rights abuses against LGBT people in his country. In 2005 Parsi learned that an order had been issued for his arrest and execution. He was forced to seek refuge in neighbouring Turkey until, thirteen months later, he was granted asylum in Canada.

Exiled for Love follows Parsi’s incredible journey from his first understanding of his sexual orientation to his eventual exile. It explores the reality for LGBT people in Iran through the deeply personal and inspiring story of his life, escape and continuing work.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781552667606
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
Publication date: 05/01/2015
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 228
File size: 978 KB

About the Author

Arsham Parsi is the founder and executive director of the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees. His work has earned him several human rights awards including the 2008 Felipa de Souza Award from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the 2008 Pride Toronto Award.


Marc Colbourne writes to inform and connect readers to important social issues. His work explores the experiences of marginalized communities and brings voice to the people and issues that are often silenced.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Ankara, Turkey 1

Beginnings 5

A Difficult Realization 12

Mehdi 17

The Letter 26

Basic Training 34

A Whole New World 40

Finding Community 49

Shiraz Comes Out 55

Arash 61

Dubai 70

Reaching Out 78

A Celebration of Voice 83

My Birthday 89

Leaving 99

Entering Limbo 110

Registration 117

Kayseri 130

The Interview 139

Resettlement 150

Farhad and Mojtaba 160

A Jihad for Love 172

The Canadian Embassy 180

A Second Birthday 184

Making Connections 189

The United Nations 198

We Exist 202

Family 205

Epilogue 215

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews