For the past two weeks, Iranians have been protesting in the streets, calling for an end to the regime. The response from the government has been swift and brutal, with over 100 protesters killed and thousands more arrested. But among the dead are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who were peacefully protesting for their rights.

The silencing of Iranian protesters means the end of any hope for equality for LGBTQIA+ people in Iran. The government has made it clear that it will not tolerate dissent, and that includes dissenting voices within the LGBTQIA+ community. This is a major setback for our community globally, as we all struggle to achieve equality.

‍

The LGBT Community in Iran
The LGBT community in Iran has long been marginalized and discriminated against. They have no legal protections and are often subjected to violence, both from individuals and the government. In recent years, there have been some small steps towards acceptance, with a few Pride parades being held in Tehran. However, these parades have always been met with violence from the police and counter-protesters.

The protests that started on November 15th were initially about economic inequality and corruption but quickly turned into calls for an end to the regime. The LGBT community saw this as an opportunity to stand up for their rights and joined the protests. For the first time, they felt like they had a chance to be heard.

But that chance was quickly snuffed out by the government's violent response. Over 100 protesters have been killed, with many more wounded or arrested. And among those killed are members of the LGBT community who were simply trying to voice their demands for equality.

‍

What This Means For The Global LGBT Community
This is a devastating blow not just for the LGBT community in Iran, but for our community globally. We have all been working toward equality, but this feels like a huge step backward. The Iranian government has made it clear that they will not tolerate dissent, and that includes dissenting voices within the LGBT community.

We cannot let this silence continue. We must stand together and amplify the voices of those who have been silenced by this brutal regime. We must continue fighting for equality, even when it seems like an impossible task. Only through solidarity can we hope to achieve our goal of full equality for all members of the LGBT community worldwide.

The silencing of Iranian protesters is a tragedy not just for Iranians, but for the global LGBT community. We must stand together and continue fighting for equality, even when it seems like an impossible task. Only through solidarity can we hope to achieve our goal of full equality for all members of the LGBT community worldwide.

‍