DOCSLIB.ORG

Pathologizing Identities, Paralyzing Bodies

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pathologizing Identities, Paralyzing Bodies Pathologizing Identities, Paralyzing Bodies: Human Rights Violations Against Gay, Lesbian and Transgender People in Iran Justice for Iran & Iranian Lesbian and Transgender Network (6Rang) June 2014 CONTENTS Terminology ......................................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction and Background ...................................................................................................4 1.1. A Word on the Background................................................................................................7 1.2. How Many Sex Reassignment Surgeries Are Performed in Iran? ......................................9 1.3. Organization of the Report ............................................................................................. 12 1.4. Methodology ................................................................................................................... 13 2. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Human Rights Law ....................... 15 2.1. The Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination ............................................................... 15 2.2. The Right to Privacy and Recognition before the Law .................................................... 17 2.3. The Right to Liberty and Security of Person ................................................................... 18 2.4. The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health ................................................ 18 2.5. The Right to be Free from Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment 19 2.6. The Right to Education .................................................................................................... 22 2.7. The Right to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.................................... 23 2.8. The Right to a Remedy for Violations of Human Rights ................................................. 25 3. Discriminatory Laws and Practices and Acts of Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Iran .................................................................................................................. 28 3.1. Iran’s Legal Framework on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ............................. 28 3.1.1. Treatment of Homosexuality .................................................................................... 29 3.1.2. Treatment of Trans-Dressing .................................................................................... 30 3.1.3. Treatment of Transsexuality ..................................................................................... 32 3.1.4. Restrictions on the Right to Freedom of Expression and Information ..................... 34 3.2. Violence and Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender People ................. 35 3.2.1. Arbitrary Arrests and Detention and Police Abuse ................................................... 35 3.2.2. Discrimination in Education ...................................................................................... 42 3.2.3. Abuse and Violence by Members of the Public ........................................................ 45 3.2.4. Abuse and Violence in the Family ............................................................................. 47 4. Legal Gender Recognition Procedures in Iran ....................................................................... 50 4.1. Background and Context ................................................................................................. 51 4.2. Psychiatric Diagnosis ....................................................................................................... 53 4.3. Hormone Therapy ........................................................................................................... 58 4.4. Sex Reassignment Surgeries and Change of Legal Documents ...................................... 60 4.5. Exemption from Military Service .................................................................................... 65 5. Torment in the Name of Treatment: Abuses Against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Persons in Health-Care Settings .................................................................................................................. 71 5.1. Background & Context .................................................................................................... 71 5.2. Reparative Therapies ...................................................................................................... 78 5.3. Negligent and Substandard Non-consensual Sex Reassignment Surgeries .................... 84 6. Conclusions and Recommendations ...................................................................................... 93 Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 99 1 | Pathologizing Identities, Paralyzing Bodies Human Rights Violations Against Gay, Lesbian and Transgender People in Iran TERMINOLOGY Bisexuals are people whose emotional, affectionate and sexual attraction can be toward both women and men. Dojense is a term used in Persian for referring to both intersex (physical dojense) and transsexual (psychological dojense) people. Its literal meaning is “bisexed”. Gay refers to men whose emotional, affectionate and sexual attraction is primarily toward men. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. Gender Expression refers to the means by which individuals express their gender identity. This may or may not include dress, make-up, speech, mannerisms and surgical or hormonal treatment. Gender Identity is a very personal and subjective matter. It refers to each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. It includes the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerism. Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria is a discomfort characterized by a feeling of incongruity with the physical gender assigned to one at birth. Frequently misunderstood by the individual, these feelings can remain suppressed and hidden from others. Unhealthy coping mechanisms include self-abuse, addictions, relationship difficulties and suicidality. Gender Identity Disorder may be experienced by biological males or females of any cultural, ethnic or socioeconomic background. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association updated the term “Gender Identity Disorder” to “Gender Dysphoria” in the fifth version of the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). However, the former term will be used throughout this report. Gender Marker is a gendered designator that appears on an official document such as a passport or an identity card. It may be an explicit designation such as “male” or “female” or a gendered title such like Mr. or Ms. Gender Queer refers to gender identities other than “man” and “woman”, thus falling outside of the gender binary. Genital Reassignment Surgeries refer to operations aimed at modifying genital characteristics to accord with a person’s gender identity. They include gonad removal and genital removal as well as reconstructive procedures such as orchidectomy, penectomy, genito-vaginoplasty or labiaplasty for the male-to-female individuals; or vaginectomy and genito-phalloplasty for female-to-male individuals. 2 | Pathologizing Identities, Paralyzing Bodies Human Rights Violations Against Gay, Lesbian and Transgender People in Iran Hamjensbaz is a derogatory Persian term for referring to homosexuals. Its literal meaning is same-sex “gamer” and it implies that homosexuals are people with loose morals who chase people of the same sex for sexual pleasure. Heterosexual people are individuals whose emotional, affectionate and sexual attraction is primarily to members of the opposite sex. Heteronormativity refers to a system of norms, attitudes and biases that assumes that people fall into distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) with natural roles in life. It asserts that heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation, and sexual and marital relations are only fitting between a man and a woman. Consequently, a “heteronormative” view is one that involves alignment of biological sex, sexuality, gender identity, and gender roles. Homosexual people are individuals whose emotional, affectionate and sexual attraction is primarily to members of the same sex. Hormone Therapy or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a form of medical treatment that transgender people may wish to take in order to develop some secondary sex characteristics of the gender with which they more closely identify. Irreversible effects testosterone on female-to-male transsexuals include deepening of voice, growth of facial and body hair, and enlargement of the clitoris while reversible effects include cessation of ovulation and menstruation and muscle development. Partially reversible effects of estrogen on male-to-female transgenders include breast tissue growth (gynaecomastia), and reversible changes include lightening of body hair, smoother skin and reduction in testicle and gonad size. Estrogen has no effect on male-to-female transgenders’ voice pitch. Intersex individuals possess genital,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Blood-Soaked Secrets Why Iran’S 1988 Prison Massacres Are Ongoing Crimes Against Humanity
    BLOOD-SOAKED SECRETS WHY IRAN’S 1988 PRISON MASSACRES ARE ONGOING CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. © Amnesty International 2017 Cover photo: Collage of some of the victims of the mass prisoner killings of 1988 in Iran. Except where otherwise noted, content in this document is licensed under a Creative Commons © Amnesty International (attribution, non-commercial, no derivatives, international 4.0) licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode For more information please visit the permissions page on our website: www.amnesty.org Where material is attributed to a copyright owner other than Amnesty International this material is not subject to the Creative Commons licence. First published in 2017 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW, UK Index: MDE 13/9421/2018 Original language: English amnesty.org CONTENTS GLOSSARY 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 METHODOLOGY 18 2.1 FRAMEWORK AND SCOPE 18 2.2 RESEARCH METHODS 18 2.2.1 TESTIMONIES 20 2.2.2 DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE 22 2.2.3 AUDIOVISUAL EVIDENCE 23 2.2.4 COMMUNICATION WITH IRANIAN AUTHORITIES 24 2.3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 25 BACKGROUND 26 3.1 PRE-REVOLUTION REPRESSION 26 3.2 POST-REVOLUTION REPRESSION 27 3.3 IRAN-IRAQ WAR 33 3.4 POLITICAL OPPOSITION GROUPS 33 3.4.1 PEOPLE’S MOJAHEDIN ORGANIZATION OF IRAN 33 3.4.2 FADAIYAN 34 3.4.3 TUDEH PARTY 35 3.4.4 KURDISH DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF IRAN 35 3.4.5 KOMALA 35 3.4.6 OTHER GROUPS 36 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Ideological Tyranny in Iranian Women's Studies: a Response To
    Ideological Tyranny in Iranian Women’s Studies: A Response to Shahrzad Mojab 1 Golbarg Bashi Research student University of Bristol United Kingdom November 14, 2005 Feminist research or women’s studies is a methodological perspective that criticises societal inequalities, with an emphasis on gender disparities. As a secular feminist I initiated a re-debate over the crisis in Iranian women’s studies/activism 2 (intertwined) so that our scholarship and activism embraces more lives inside Iran. I did not in any way offer a fixed agenda for achieving a gender-equal state in Iran. As someone who has spent most of her life outside Iran, it perplexes me still that some senior Iranian intellectuals deconstruct one’s arguments as if it was a clear-cut programme to overthrow a whole government and create a revolution. My major concern today is in gathering the scattered efforts, good-will and resources which we Iranians have an abundance of, and lend a helping hand to the women’s and progressive movements, the impoverished NGOs, the oppressed, the marginisalised, the hungry, the dispossessed, the prisoners, the censored intellectuals, the activists, and the students inside Iran (regardless of their religious and political convictions). I would like to thank Dr Shahrzad Mojab, Associate Professor and Director of the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto, in Canada for her contribution in this debate (in Ideological Crisis in Iranian Women’s Studies: A Response to Golbarg Bashi 3, posted on 21 August, 2005). It has helped me strengthen and refine my own position. As one of our wonderful Iranian feminists, Elahe Amani (at Fullerton, USA) advised me: “Crises refine life.
    [Show full text]
  • Blood-Soaked Secrets Why Iran's 1988 Prison
    BLOOD-SOAKED SECRETS WHY IRAN’S 1988 PRISON MASSACRES ARE ONGOING CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. © Amnesty International 2017 Except where otherwise noted, content in this document is licensed under a Creative Commons Cover photo: Collage of some of the victims of the mass prisoner killings of 1988 in Iran. (attribution, non-commercial, no derivatives, international 4.0) licence. © Amnesty International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode For more information please visit the permissions page on our website: www.amnesty.org Where material is attributed to a copyright owner other than Amnesty International this material is not subject to the Creative Commons licence. First published in 2017 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW, UK Index: MDE 13/9421/2018 Original language: English amnesty.org CONTENTS GLOSSARY 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 METHODOLOGY 18 2.1 FRAMEWORK AND SCOPE 18 2.2 RESEARCH METHODS 18 2.2.1 TESTIMONIES 20 2.2.2 DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE 22 2.2.3 AUDIOVISUAL EVIDENCE 23 2.2.4 COMMUNICATION WITH IRANIAN AUTHORITIES 24 2.3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 25 BACKGROUND 26 3.1 PRE-REVOLUTION REPRESSION 26 3.2 POST-REVOLUTION REPRESSION 27 3.3 IRAN-IRAQ WAR 33 3.4 POLITICAL OPPOSITION GROUPS 33 3.4.1 PEOPLE’S MOJAHEDIN ORGANIZATION OF IRAN 33 3.4.2 FADAIYAN 34 3.4.3 TUDEH PARTY 35 3.4.4 KURDISH DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF IRAN 35 3.4.5 KOMALA 35 3.4.6 OTHER GROUPS 36 4.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Annual Report
    2020 ANNUAL REPORT TM 1 ILGA World - the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is grateful for the support of its member organisa- tions, staff, interns, Board and Committee members who work tirelessly to make everything we do possible. A heartfelt shout-out and thank you goes to all the human rights defenders around the world for the time and energy they commit to ad- vancing the cause of equality for persons with diverse sexual orienta- tions, gender identities and gender expressions, and sex characteristics everywhere. Our deepest thanks to those who, despite the unforeseen eco- nomic hardship bestowed upon everyone by the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, have committed to financially make our work pos- sible in 2020. We also thank one significant anonymous donor and many other companies and individuals who have made donations. We kick off the year with new activities to support local organ- isations as they follow-up on LGBTI recommendations from JANUARY 2020 the Treaty Bodies. Throughout 2020 ILGA World and our allies AT A GLANCE made sure to keep raising queer voices at the United Nations! We launch an extensive global research into laws banning ‘conversion therapies’. Protec- FEBRUARY tion from similar ineffective and cruel treat- ment is as urgent as ever! MARCH As everything turns virtual, our communities remain connected: APRIL The world comes to a grinding halt as ILGA World holds its first-ever online Board meeting, and hosts the Covid-19 pandemic erupts. Even roundtables discussing the impact and response to the Covid-19 during these difficult days, we have pandemic among LGBTI organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Impacr Report
    2020 IMPACR REPORT About Us Established in July 2010, Justice for Iran (JFI) is a London-based human rights NGO that seeks freedom from impunity. JFI aims to hold the perpetrators of serious human rights violations, including but not limited to crimes against humanity, torture, enforced disappearances, war crime and genocide which have been committed in Iran or by the Iranian officials, accountable. JFI focuses on the right to truth for individual victims and society as a whole, and pursues right to justice for those who belong to the most marginalised groups such as women, ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTIs and political dissidents. JFI conducts fact-finding, initiates judicial and semi-judicial actions, and carries out campaign and advocacy at national, regional and international levels. JFI is a member of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and the Regional Network for Historical Dialogue and Dealing with the Past (RNHDP). Board of Directors ● Hamid Sabi, lawyer and head of the prosecution team at the Iran Tribunal ● Dr Nena Tromp, lecturer in East European Studies at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). ● Drewery Dike, former Amnesty International Researcher on Iran ● Shadi Amin, Researcher, LGBTQI Activist, Justice for Iran Co-Founder Co-Directors • Shadi Sadr, Human Rights Lawyer and Justice for Iran Co-Founder • Dr Mohammad Nayyeri, Human Rights Lawyer, PhD from King’s College Advisory Board • Professor Yakın Ertürk, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women • Professor Payam Akhavan, McGill University 2020 IMPACT REPORT 1 Highlights of the Year • Justice for Iran marked its 10th anniversary. • More than 500 truth and justice seekers in the country joined Justice for Iran’s campaigns.
    [Show full text]
  • State-Sanctioned Killing of Sexual Minorities
    MONASH LAW STATE-SANCTIONED KILLING OF SEXUAL MINORITIES LOOKING BEYOND THE DEATH PENALTY MAI SATO & CHRISTOPHER ALEXANDER FEBRUARY 2021 In partnership between ELEOS JUSTICE Eleos Justice Faculty of Law, Monash University, Building 12, 15 Ancora Imparo Way Clayton, Victoria, 3800 Australia Telephone: +61 3 9902 6000 Website: https://www.monash.edu/law/research/eleos © Authors CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C Capital Punishment Justice Project Room 24, Level 9, 460 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Website: https://cpjp.org.au Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this report are not necessarily those held by Monash University. Except where otherwise noted, all photography featured in this report is by Robin Hammond, founder of Witness Change, from Where Love Is Illegal, a Witness Change project. Cover image: ‘Untitled’, There Are No Homosexuals In Iran, 2014-2016, Laurence Rasti. ELEOS JUSTICE ‘I have the right to live.’ Ibrahim, Nigeria 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................8 Preface ..........................................................................................................................................................9 Foreword by Victor Madrigal-Borloz ..................................................................................................11 Foreword by The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG ................................................................12 Executive Summary
    [Show full text]
  • Read Full Summary Report and Evaluation Of
    International Dialogue on the intersections of culture and tradition with human rights related to gender and sexuality Istanbul, Turkey February 19-22, 2016 FINAL REPORT Acknowledgments ARC International and MantiQitna Network would like to thank the following, without whom this Dialogue would not have taken place: The funders who made this event possible: ​ ​ ● COC Nederland ● LLH (the Norwegian LGBT Organization) ● ARCUS Foundation ● Grindr for Equality, and ● an anonymous donor. The wonderful team of volunteers, for their hard work and patience, and for their ​ ​ endless warmth and hospitality. Our translators and interpreters, for giving their time and energy to enable the ​ ​ conference to take place simultaneously in English, Spanish, and Arabic. All the presenters, moderators, and trainers for all their time and energy invested ​ ​ into this event and sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience. All participants for sharing their stories, strategies, victories and struggles - for their inspirational activism and advocacy. 1 Introduction From 19-22 February 2016 more than 60 activists gathered in Istanbul, Turkey from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and from across the world to join the International Dialogue on the intersections of culture/tradition with human rights related to gender and sexuality. A joint initiative of ARC International and MantiQitna, the Dialogue was aimed at meeting the following objectives: 1. Enhance the capacity of groups in the MENA region to document, report and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights; 2. Share and develop strategies about working in criminalizing environments globally with legal experts, activists, academics and allied movements; 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018
    ANNUAL REPORT 2018 The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Asso- ciation is grateful for the work and support of its member organisations, staff, interns and board members. A heartfelt shout-out and thank you goes to all the LGBTI activists around the world for the time and energy they commit to advancing LGBTI equality everywhere. Last but not least, our thanks to the following organisations who in particular have made our work financially possible in 2018: 2 “Our pride and love are greater than our grief and fear” Justice Edwin Cameron, Pan Africa ILGA conference, June 2018 3 ph. Robin Benzrihem on Unsplash ear friends, the public domain. As the year closed, (then named) International Gay Asso- D 2018: what a bittersweet year! reports arrived that women and men ciation. in Chechnya were targeted again in a Today, we are more than 1,500 We have significant reasons to resurgence of ‘purges’. organisations from over 150 coun- rejoice. In 2018, California became For every inch of protection and tries and territories, queerer and the first state in the USA to condemn recognition that our communities more diverse than ever. unnecessary surgeries on intersex gained, hate, disrespect and violence We have history. We have victo- children. Shameful parts of an endur- keep rearing their ugly heads. Political ries. We have a global family to stand ing colonial legacy are finally tumbling and other leaders continue to demon- with. down, as India and Trinidad and Toba- ise and scapegoat vulnerable minori- The 2019 World Conference in go decriminalised same-sex relations, ties.
    [Show full text]
  • 7Th ILGA Asia Regional Conference Conference Report 1 7Th ILGA Asia Regional Conference 2 Conference Report
    7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference Conference Report 1 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference 2 Conference Report Proposed Citation: ILGA Asia. 7th ILGA Asia Conference Report. 2018, Bangkok, Thailand This report was edited by ILGA Asia using the material submmited by volunteers who took notes at the 7th ILGA Asia Conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 4-8 December 2017. Due to technical issues, not all the sessions were recorded in the report. This report also included observation from partners present at the conference. The views and opinions of speakers covered in this report do not reflect the official position of ILGA Asia Executive Board or Staff. Copyright © ILGA Asia 2018 Asian Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) Alma Link Building Floor 17, Suite 15 25 Soi Chitlom, Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand Tel: +66 (0)2 681 9700 Enail: [email protected] Website: https://www.ilgaasia.org Facebook: ilgaasia Twitter: ilgaasia Design: ILGA Asia Photos: Destination Justice 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference Conference Report 3 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference 4 Conference Report 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference Conference Report 5 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference 6 Conference Report CONTENT 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference Conference Report 7 LETTER FROM ILGA ASIA EXECUTIVE BOARD 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 10 THE CHAIRING POOL 16 WORKSHOPS AT THE MAIN CONFERENCE 18 United for Love - The race towards marriage equality in Asia 19 Religious fundamentalism and intensification of state-sponsored
    [Show full text]
  • Court File No. SC-15-00011312 -000
    Court File No. SC-15-00011312 -000 SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE SMALL CLAIMS COURT 5 B E T W E E N: SOHEILA AMINTORABI 10 Plaintiff - and - ARSHAM PARSI 15 Defendant P R O C E E D I N G S A T T R I A L BEFORE DEPUTY JUDGE C. ASHBY on January 8, 2018 at TORONTO, Ontario 20 25 APPEARANCES C. Wanless Counsel for the Plaintiff 30 B. Amouzgar Counsel for the Defendant M. Evans Counsel for the Defendant (i) Table of Contents SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE SMALL CLAIMS COURT 5 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S W I T N E S S E S WITNESSES Examination Cr- Re- In-Chief Examination Examination 10 JEFTOVIC, Mark 26-58 59-71 - HOMILY, Minoo 73-92 92-152 - 15 E X H I B I T S EXHIBIT NUMBER ENTERED ON PAGE 1 Plaintiff’s Document Brief Volume 1 25 2 Plaintiff’s Document Brief Volume 2 26 3 Schedule C of Defendant’s Report 43 20 4 Email from Defendant’s Counsel 53 A Dictionary Entries 111 25 Legend [sic] - Indicates preceding word has been reproduced verbatim and is not a transcription error. (ph) - Indicates preceding word spelled phonetically. [Indiscernible] - Indicates where a word or phrase is 30 impossible to discern, and all avenues to ascertain what was said have been exhausted. (i) Table of Contents Transcript Ordered: January, 17, 2018 Transcript Completed: January 24, 2018 5 Ordering Party Notified: January 24, 2018 10 15 20 25 30 4.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 World Conference Report
    2019 WORLD CONFERENCE REPORT How do we measure success? To us, it is partly about connecting our communities, giving them a space where their energy can be renewed before they return home to do the hard work. We can be proud to call the 2019 ILGA World Conference a resounding success, then: the overwhelming take- away was that our scholars and attend- ees left Wellington inspired by the ex- change of ideas and experiences, and propelled by seeing that often-slow, We needed a space like this yet unstoppable progress is happen- World Conference – our first one to ing. ever be held in Oceania, with a strong We are a diverse global move- Pacific indigenous influence, and our ment: we do not always agree on first to ever host pre-conferences on everything, and far too often we can indigenous and sex workers’ rights feel isolated in our struggle. Gather- – to learn from each other, explore, ing together is how we remind our- be inspired to push forward. And we selves that what unites us is far stron- needed this global stage to let the ger, and powerful, than those forces world know that we cannot accept any trying to break us apart. The confer- lip service anymore: people of diverse ence theme was “Celebrating the past sexual orientations, gender identities to liberate the future.” If 40 years of and expressions and sex characteris- ILGA history can teach our move- tics have always existed, and leaving ment anything, let it be this: united we us behind deprives the whole human stand, divided we fall.
    [Show full text]
  • Working with People Who Have Experienced State Violence
    THE ART OF REMEMBERING: IRANIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS, RESISTANCE AND COMMUNITY by Bethany J. Osborne A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Bethany J. Osborne 2014 The Art of Remembering: Iranian Political Prisoners, Resistance and Community Bethany J. Osborne Doctor of Philosophy, 2014 Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education University of Toronto ABSTRACT Over the last three decades, many women and men who were political prisoners in the Middle East have come to Canada as immigrants and refugees. In their countries of origin, they resisted oppressive social policies, ideologies, and various forms of state violence. Their journeys of forced migration/exile took them away from their country, families, and friends, but they arrived in Canada with memories of violence, resistance and survival. These former political prisoners did not want the sacrifices that they and their colleagues had made to be forgotten. They needed to find effective ways to communicate these stories. This research was conducted from a critical feminist‒anti-racist perspective, and used life history research to trace the journey of one such group of women and men. This group of former political prisoners has been meeting together, using art as a mode of expression to share their experiences, inviting others to join their resistance against state violence. Interviews were conducted with former political prisoners and their supporters and artist facilitators who were part of the art workshops, performances, and exhibits held in Toronto, Canada from January 2010 through December 2011.
    [Show full text]