In an official statement, the Brazilian Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals (ABGLT) repudiates the visit of the president/dictator of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who arrives in Brazil next Wednesday, 06/05. The entity emphasizes that "Brazil is a democratic country" and that the current government has recognized the fight for Human Rights and also free sexual orientation and gender identity.
However, it provides a counterpoint to the presence of the Iranian presence and the laws of his country. "Iran is a state that persecutes and punishes its citizens because of their sexual orientation and that does not recognize gender equality (persecuting women) – and does not guarantee fundamental rights of its inhabitants – such as the right to freedom of expression or social, political or party organization", says the note.
The organization considers the presence of a president "who has gained worldwide notoriety for his homophobic, sexist and racist statements" to be sad. And he points out that "Iran is one of the few countries in the world that still consider homosexuality a crime, which is punishable by the death penalty. In Iran, women judged as 'adulteres' (among other "crimes") are stoned to death. death, just as young gay men are hanged for the simple fact of loving other men."
In this way, the ABGLT, which aims to defend "human rights, plurality, the secularity of the State, democracy, the principle of equality and respect for diversity, repudiates the presence of the president of Iran in Brazilian territory". And he goes on to say that he protests against the "presence of this homophobic gentleman and murderer of women in our country. We call on the LGBT movement to promote protest actions across the country, demonstrating against Ahmadinejad."
Check out the full rejection note below:
Homophobic dictator is not welcome in Brazil
The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in our country, on an official visit, on May 6th, when he will be received by President Lula.
At this moment, it is important to highlight that Brazil is a democratic country, which has taken to international forums firm proposals for the recognition of human rights, such as, for example, the position of recognizing that free sexual orientation and gender identity are constitutive elements in construction of a fair world order, based on dignity and plurality.
On the contrary, Iran is a State that persecutes and punishes its citizens due to their sexual orientation and that does not recognize gender equality (persecuting women) – and does not guarantee fundamental rights of its inhabitants – such as the right to freedom of expression or social, political or party organization.
Worse still, President Ahmadinejad has gained worldwide notoriety for his homophobic, sexist and racist statements. Iran is one of the few countries in the world that still considers homosexuality a crime, which is punishable by the death penalty! In Iran, women judged as "adulteres" (among other "crimes") are stoned to death, just as young gay men are hanged for the simple fact of loving other men.
Ahmadinejad manages to be even more cruel and despicable. The president of Iran insists on propagating barbarities. He declares, for example, that there are no homosexuals in his country. And he frequents international forums where he is notable for statements that deny the Holocaust – a historical folly that offends the memory and dignity of millions of people.
By defending human rights, plurality, secularism of the State, democracy, the principle of equality and respect for diversity, ABGLT (Brazilian Association of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals), whose goal is to promote citizenship and defending the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals, contributing to the construction of a democracy without any forms of discrimination, affirming free sexual orientation and gender identities) repudiates the presence of the president of Iran in Brazilian territory.
We are a democratic, plural, multi-ethnic country that recognizes and promotes cultural and racial diversity and human rights. We understand and support the federal government's independent and sovereign foreign policy, which promotes south-south interaction.
However, we vehemently repudiate the presence of the Iranian dictator in Brazil.
We protest against the presence of this homophobic gentleman and murderer of women in our country. We call on the LGBT movement to promote protest actions across the country, demonstrating against Ahmadinejad. Every gesture, every protest, every demonstration will add up to a great national chain.
Let's be clear: Brazil is a democratic country, which promotes human rights and LGBT citizenship. Fundamentalist dictators are not welcome here!
Freedom for the people of Iran!
Homosexuality is not a crime!
For the recognition of human rights in Iran!
Out with Ahmadinejad!
Tony Reis
President of ABGLT
