Annual Report 2010-2011 Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees— !" Bay St )!th Floor Toronto, ON MJN0 Canada T: !!"-!"#-!"#-!"#" E: [email protected] Annual Report | 2 CONTENTS IRQR Mission 2 A Note from the IRQR’s Executive Director 3 A Note from President of the IRQR Board of Directors 4 IRQR Donors 5 IRQR Financials 6 Notice to Reader 6 Statement of Financial Position 6 Statement of Activities 7 Our Leadership 8 IRQR Mission The IRQR’s mission is advancing human rights for Iranian queers asylum seekers/refugees to increase public awareness of their plight and to provide continued support to them where and when it is required. In the Iranian Islamic Penal Code, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death. Torture in the form of whipping is also used to punish homosexuals. Ironically, the law provides for a choice of execution--hanging, stoning, being halved by a sword or dropped from a high place-- but a judge may also decide which form of execution is employed. The regime may list homosexuality as one of a number of offences when someone is punished, making it difficult for human rights organizations to prove absolutely that people are being executed or flogged because of their sexual orientation. The IRQR exists to support Iranian queers around the world. Due to Iran’s tyrannical laws in regards to the Iranian LBGT community many Iranian queers choose to flee Iran in order to secure their physical safety (as homosexuality is a crime punishable by corporal punishment and even death in Iran). Although we recognize that queers in many countries face a range of similar challenges we are only able to assist self-identified queers from Iran. What follows is the IRQR 2010’s Annual Report that is being presented during our Annual General Meeting that is taking place on November 12th 2011 at the 519 Church Street Community Centre in Toronto. Annual Report | 3 A Note from the IRQR’s Executive Director November 12th 2011 Dear Friends, Admiration, respect and appreciation are some of the feelings I have when I think back over the past years and the ways in which Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees Inc. (IRQR) has grown. It was not easy for me as a 19-year-old Iranian gay youth who decided to become an activist in 2001 when I was still in Iran after the loss of beloved friends. I was able to overcome many obstacles and my motivation for not giving up was not only having your support but also the many individuals who are in great need of our help and our activism. Let me tell you a story: I received an email a few months ago while I was in Turkey to meet the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Ankara from an anonymous source. It was in Persian and very short. It destroyed me. Arsham, you do not know me, but I know you very well and I have been following all your interviews. I just wanted to say that I attempted to commit suicide three times but I changed my mind only because of you. I decided to give myself another chance in the hopes of seeing the day that we have our freedom as a result of our activism. Do not try to answer this email since it is a temporary address. Bye, An Iranian Gay My decision to become an activist was initially based on personal reasons but now I feel this work is my life’s calling and I must continue it no matter what. There’s much admiration at the enormity of the challenges within the Iranian queer community that the IRQR has faced and at how, seemingly against the odds, we met those challenges. Deep respect and appreciation is acknowledged for the faith, courage, and selflessness of our board members, volunteers and contributors. Although there have been great challenges over the past few years, the abundant need and opportunities the years have brought us, and the contributions that came through our dedicated supporters, illustrate how IRQR is as relevant and as needed as ever. Looking ahead, we are confident in the direction of IRQR and of finding the resources needed for every challenge and every purpose. Unfortunately the well documented continuation of flagrant abuses of human rights in Iran by groups like the United Nations and Amnesty International only serve as proof that we have a long journey ahead of us in order to achieve our freedom and equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, race, political opinion and ethnicity. An Iranian old expression says “Rights are not given; we have to struggle for them”. We hope to have your continued support in our fight for a brighter tomorrow. Thank you for being part of this great journey of faith with us. Sincerely Yours, Arsham Parsi Executive Director Iranian railroad for Queer Refugees Annual Report | 4 A Note from President of the IRQR Board of Directors November 12, 11 I have been involved in a number of community organizations and causes over the past thirty years but the IRQR stands in a category of its own. One can't help but feel compelled by the gripping cause: helping Iranian queers survive, to find peace and freedom from persecution for who they are and whom they love. For those of us who live in democratic, tolerant countries with a basic respect for human rights, it's easy to forget that elsewhere in the world, fellow queers are subjected to unimaginable levels of stress, facing a hostile society and governments that seek to imprison and even kill them. I invite you to learn even just a bit about the situation faced by Iranian LGBT people; you will not remain indifferent. The success of the organization largely rests on the inspiring vision and tireless work of Arsham Parsi. It is humbling to be involved with Arsham, an internationally- acclaimed activist whose name is found on thousands of websites and echoes in the corridors of the UNHCR, along with those of governments in Canada, Europe and of course, Iran. Despite the burden of responsibility and his larger-than-life reputation, Arsham remains a humble, gentle man... and an unstoppable advocate! I am concluding my involvement on the board after 3 years as founding President. I am so pleased to continue supporting an organization that is now solidly established and has greatly matured since its inception. Thank you to our generous donors. I am also grateful to my board colleagues and wish them and Arsham well in continuing to build on the IRQR's success. Gilles Marchildon President of the Board Annual Report | 5 IRQR Donors IRQR gratefully acknowledges the support of the above donors, whose contributions were received from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. To ensure the security of our contributors we have included their names and the first initial of their surname. We apologize in advance if we have inadvertently omitted your name, or the name of your partner, and please alert us so we can correct our records. Thank you for your gift! For inquiries or errors please contact us, at [email protected] or call 416.548.4171. We would like to especially thank Geert Oetken who lives in Bonn, Germany because of his immense contribution and Paul Horn who lives in Jupiter, Florida for his significant support to pay the IRQR office rent in memorial of his beloved partner. Additional thanks must go to The Hirschfeld-Eddy Foundation based in Berlin, Germany for your dedicated support. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to all our contributors for their donations. The succession of our organization would not be possible without your support. We are honoured to provide your donations to Iranian queer asylum seekers/refugees who are in need of basic support. Alex M. Mathias W. Nicholas M. Ali T. Matthew TA Nicol K. Amy A. Michael K. Nicolas S. Ana G. Mike P. Nik G. Barry T. Mina L. Nora S. Bernard M. Minoo Z. Orlando DL. Charles M.R. Giuilio S. Patrick F. Chris A. Gay and Lesbian of Salt Spring Peter Sc. Christian B. Island Peter Z. Concord-Carlisle High School Helem Montreal Quakers Dana G. Helge V.T. Ramzi M. Daphné L. Horst B. Richard P. David G.B. Israel B. Robert S. David M. Jacob R. Ronald J. David R. Janice F. Rui P. David R. Jay T. Shahin H. Dennis K. Jean-Paul D. Sholeh M. Deschamps S.D. Jeffrey B. Sourosh S. Dijan M. John Ch. Stephen W. Douglas W. Jon F. Terry W. Elizabeth R. Ken J. Thomas K. Eric W. Kevin B. Unitarian Universalist- F. J. Lillian D. Fellowship Church Francesco M. Maid In the Shade Wallace H. Franchini C. Maik D. Wolfgang M. Frank D. Malcolm M. Zoltan L. Gary T. Marc K. AND Swiss queer Community. Gilles M. Mark B. AND many anonymous Masoumeh F. supporters. Annual Report | 6 IRQR Financials Note: The IRQR Fiscal Year is from April 1st to March 31st of the following year. Notice to Reader We have prepared the accompanying financial statements of Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees for the year ended March 31, 2011 from information supplied to us by management. We have not performed an audit of the information contained in such books. We can attest, however, that revenues and expenses as presented reflect the bank statements from the financial institution where the IRQR account is held. Standard Accounting & Tax Services Farhad Shahbazloo BA. Newmarket, ON March 31, 2011 Statement of Financial Position As of March 31st, 2011 with Comparison of previous year ASSETS MARCH 31, 2011 MARCH 31, 2010 CASH 14,900.18 CAD 5,743.61 CAD LIABILITIES MARCH 31, 2011 MARCH 31, 2010 FUND BALANCE 14,900.18 CAD 5,743.61 CAD Annual Report | 7 Statement of Activities For the year ended March 31st, 2011 with Comparisons for March 31st 2010 REVENUES MARCH 31, 2011 MARCH 31, 2010 DONATION 20,297.50 CAD 12,954.23