We Stand Together and Move Forward to Exercise Our Rights
Iranian LGBTIQ (queer*) community:
In all these years, LGBTIQ community alongside with other groups, not only have been observing protests and uprising of Iranian people, but they have been part of it as well. This year, we as a group of Iranian queer community, state our full support for Iranian people and we ask all Iranian around the world not to forget to fight for equal rights in all aspects including gender equality and LGBTIQ community rights.
The article 20 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares everyone right to have freedom of peaceful assembly and association. We also recognize everyone right to have a peaceful demonstration and protests as part of efforts to achieve equality and democracy in a society. Therefore, nonviolent demonstrations are basic rights of each person which is brought into laws in international communities and Iran. However, our society continuously being pushed out and LGBTIQ activists have been hiding their identities and hence leave the country.
In the last 4 decades, Islamic Republic of Iran government not only has been playing a direct role in punishing people, but also has been very active in promoting hatred against LGBTIQ community all around the world. Iranian government officials are proud to do such activities and these pressures forces thousand Iranian people from queer community to leave Iran and seek asylum in other countries.
We, Iranian LGBTIQ activists, request support from politicians and activists in Iran and all around the world and we demand their help to improve the situation of Iranian queer community until we achieve the equal rights.
We also appeal to social activists to not forget Intersectional people rights and to remember that students, women, teachers, workers, and minorities from different cities and villages are part of the LGBTIQ community. In Iran society, due to toxic environment against LGBTIQ community, people from different sexual orientations are not in liberty to exercise their rights and make sure their voices are heard, hence they are victims of inequality from different legal and social aspects.
We, as part of the LGBTIQ community, would like to ask all social movements especially women movements to promote gender equality goal and invite them to remember other sexual orientations in their conversations and not to encourage Heteronormative and Cisnormative dialogues.
JoopeA has been active for a long time since 2009 when all of the members were still in Iran and fighting… most people knew JoopeA from the JNews project, a media website which provides information related to sexual health and education and tries to raise awareness about sexual rights for Persian speaking people. However, the foundation has become known more in 2017.
We are a group of Human Rights activists specialized in LGBTIQ Rights and Internet freedom, trying to make a difference in the world by focusing on Iran. We are in the 21st century and still, a lot of people don’t have the chance to be who they are freely. Being able to show the true version of yourself brings hope and self-belief. And hope opens the doors of freedom not just for one individual but further, for the society. The freedom which has been taken away from humanity. Lack of freedom is what JoopeA doesn’t tolerate in any form of its presence.
For the first time, in 2017, JoopeA participated in Amsterdam Pride Parade on behalf of Iran with the aim of being able to be the face of Iranian LGBTIQ’s to make our existence visible. Visibility is essential for every LGBTIQ movement especially when we are talking about a country where the former president of it denied the existence of LGBTIQ community. And that’s why participating in Amsterdam Pride Parade was a turning point for the movement. And it made 2017 a special year for JoopeA Foundation.
2018 is going to be a year with even more surprises. We will be not just rocking again in Amsterdam Pride Parade but more and more will be waiting for you in the year ahead. Follow us on social media to stay updated about our projects and events and contact us if you think you can and you want to be part of our activities.
No matter if you decided to take a step for LGBTIQ movement of Iran long before today or if you aim to join us now, we will be glad to have you beside us. together we are stronger and can do a lot more.
We wish you a new year filled with love, freedom and JoopeA.
Monday, 27th November 2017: JoopeA Foundation held IranPride 2017 Closing ceremony to close this chapter of IranPride and open the space for their participation for Pride Parade in 2018.
Here are remarks of this event in brief:
Member of EU Parliament fully supports IranPride
MEP and member of the delegation for the relationship with Iran, Mrs. Marietje Schaake has shown her full support for IranPride and LGBTI Rights for Iran in a video message.
“All Iranian suffer from repression, LGBTs are specific target; they’ve been imprisoned, tortured and executed. At the same time, social acceptance of LGBTs remains lower at times.”
Mrs. Schaake said.
“Equality is the principle reason why the Iranian LGBT movement wants to participate in the next Pride parade in Amsterdam. And I’m fully support this decision.”
She added.
LGBTI Policy Officer of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs speech
Mr. Mark Reichwein:
“When LGBTI people are not treated well, there is something wrong in entire society. Unfortunately around the world over seventy countries still criminalise homosexuality and in seven of them, there is death penalty for homosexuals.”
“This celebration of diversity matters and especially for those people, those participants around the world where they less fortunate when it comes to acceptance in their own society.”
Mr. Reichwein explained about the need for Pride Parade.
The ceremony in details
On Monday 27th November 2017, JoopeA Foundation (Stichting JoopeA) held IranPride 2017 Closing ceremony together with the representative of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, COC Nederland, COC Amsterdam, Roze in Blouw politie, Human Rights activists, journalists, sponsors and supporters of the Iran Boat in Amsterdam Canal Pride 2017.
This ceremony started with the speech of Mr. Mark Reichwein, LGBTI Policy Officer of Dutch Foreign Ministry and followed by the speech of Elham Malekpoor Arashlu, poet and the core management team of JoopeA. Therefore, Raham Rafiee, founder of JoopeA gave a summary of the history of IranPride day and the background of JoopeA. After Raham, Faarjam, musician and composer performed his music. Iman Firouzifard, the core member of JoopeA News spoke about his story of Human Rights activities and also the projects of the foundation. The video message of MEP Mrs. Marietje Schaake has been shown and followed by closing speech of Raham and thank you message to all groups, individuals and organisations who helped JoopeA and IranPride.
At the end, Amsterdam Pride Organization and COC Amsterdam received symbolic presents.
JoopeA is not just a group, nor just an organization. It’s not an entity of one. But it’s every single one of us. JoopeA is this strong tree of life that each and every branch has been shaped and bloom by its community. This is why JoopeA is so understanding about the society and so close to its hearth.
We have passed many difficult years, since 2009 that we’ve gathered in a cafe in Tehran, to the time that we had to keep the low profile in Iran, as low as not breathing, or when we had been attacked in our office in Amsterdam, to the glory times of JNews re-opening and IranPride.
It wasn’t easy, it would never be easy. But for the better future, here we are, standing strong.
JoopeA has been officially registered on 13th of October 2014 in the Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. Although we have started way before, we bless this date as one of the important points in JoopeA’s life.
Happy 3rd anniversary!
JoopeA is not a person or a group or an organization. JoopeA is a policy to think; The thinking that has it’s root’s in basic human rights, right to be ourselves and right to think. The rights that has been taken from us! But we don’t tolerate it. Increasing knowledge is first step toward Human Rights and this couldn’t happen if there is no access to free information. While it was unbelievable, this basic right has been taken from us. JoopeA is unstoppable fight to take this right back.
Iman Firouzifard
The notion of JoopeA has to be more about friendship than any ethical commandment or any kind of communal aspiration. And being friends with all an existence who is you stand at the front line.
The only important obligation is being or becoming capable in the language of the friendship. And you are first of all committed in front of yourself. This is the least significant step forward you need to accomplish which can represent your entire journey; The journey which has started from you to become unique, correlated and free from the creation of “others”. Because your pain hurts me and your glory flourishes me because you are the same as me, and not even that; because we are the one as we are equal.
We need to establish ties that make friendship happen; to be more than a number to each other.
“I am looking for friends.”
“Tame me please.” And let me tame you.
Iranians took such a brave step forward in fight for LGBTIQ Rights and participated in Amsterdam Canal Pride Parade on Iran Boat for the very first time.
Iran Boat has been planning and managed by JoopeA Foundation since February this year and were supposed to be the pearl of the Amsterdam Pride Parade this year based on Amsterdam Pride Foundation. However, they were not be able to finish the track because of problem making of the Dutch skipper. While the message of the Iran Boat which are “being proud of who we are” and “standing for our rights” has been spread widely, this tumbling has brought too much pain and sorrow.
Amsterdam Pride Foundation has honored Iran team in Pride Week closing party and awarded Iran Boat a wild card for next year’s canal pride. A wild card let an initiative to float among other 80 boats without going through selection process and registrations.
Eighth Iran Pride Day is approching and will be celebrated in all cities of Iran underground! Because of this important day for Iranian LGBTIQ, JoopeA Foundation has asked Human Rights organizations and activists to show their public support for LGBTIQ Rights in Iran.
This statement has been published on “Queer Of Iran” website which is Pride Project of JoopeA Fooundation in this link.
Here is the statement and signatures:
We support LGBTIQ Rights for Iran
Ten years ago, the existence of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersex and Queer people (LGBTIQ) denied by the president of Iran at the time*. While only three years before that two teenagers has been hanged publicly in Mashhad, Iran who have been accused of sodomy**.
LGBTIQ Rights movement for Iran has become more and more active through years. Yet, it lacks public support and visibility.
Hereafter, we, Human Rights activists and organizations, announce our support for LGBTIQ Rights for Iran publicly. We believe LGBTIQ Rights is Human Rights and every human is equal to another in their rights. Every human being should have rights to be who they are and not to afraid of coming out.
Issued by:
JoopeA Foundation: Expanding Human Rights by focusing on LGBTI Rights for Iran and Middle East.
All Out: Bringing people power to the global movement for love and equality
JoopeA News (JNews) is moved to Jensiat.info as of October 2018. However, JNews the Netherlands (JNews NL) is pauzed and is not updated since August 2018. We are looking forward to re-open it again as soon as possible.
If you live in the Netherlands, if you are a Persian speaker or if you only come to Amsterdam to enjoy Amsterdam Canal Pride parade 2017, we are here for you and we are here to offer you the useful and wonderful information about fantastic events in that time.
JNews has started a new section to publish about events in the Netherlands on Sexual Rights for Persian-speaking people.
Being a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or queers is not easy, specially in a country such as Iran. LGBTI have to go through a lot. Coming out is one of them which is difficult. It costs a lot even our lives in some cases.
But Iranian LGBTI are fighting for their rights. They stand strong, learn to be brave and come out even though it can make the future difficult. Because it’s everybody’s right to be themselves.
Now, we would like to request you to come out in your support for LGBTI Rights. We understand that showing your support for LGBTI Rights in public might be difficult better than anyone. But it’s the time to take this difficult step with your fellow LGBTI and don’t leave them behind. Because it’s not about a person or an organization, but about Human Rights.
Please review short statement below in favor of LGBTI visibility, sign it by sending your logo and url to [email protected] to join.
Iranian LGBTI are raising bravely to take this huge step of coming out in Pride Amsterdam. We would like to ask you to step forward virtually.
Statement:
We support LGBTIQ Rights for Iran
Ten years ago, the existence of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersex and Queer people (LGBTIQ) denied by the president of Iran at the time*. While only three years before that two teenagers has been hanged publicly in Mashhad, Iran who have been accused of sodomy**.
LGBTIQ Rights movement for Iran has become more and more active through years. Yet, it lacks public support and visibility.
Hereafter, we, Human Rights activists and organizations, announce our support for LGBTIQ Rights for Iran publicly. We believe LGBTIQ Rights is Human Rights and every human is equal to another in their rights. Every human being should have rights to be who they are and not to afraid of coming out.
We appeal to the people of Indonesia and our friends and supporters around the world to help protect the rights and health of all Indonesian citizens by supporting efforts to end the growing mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Indonesia.
Our appeal follows several cases of human rights and privacy abuses over the last two months against over 150 men who have been unjustly detained, arrested and/or charged – and in two cases severely punished – simply because they allegedly had sex with other men or facilitated men to have sex with other men. The cases we refer to involve the caning of two young men in Aceh as well as two recent police raids, one at a hotel in Surabaya and another at a leisure establishment in Jakarta.
Our appeal also follows an anti-LGBT campaign over the last 12 months by government officials and conservative community groups in Indonesia which encourages this kind of violence, harassment and state-sponsored discrimination against LGBT people across Indonesia.
Firstly, the mistreatment of the men involves violations of natural justice, privacy and human rights not only in relation to the alleged sexual activity, but also in relation to forced HIV testing and the subsequent dissemination of test results to local media. These violations contravene not only many Indonesian laws but also Indonesia’s commitment to a range of international legal frameworks protecting the rights of individuals as well as members of cultural minorities.
Secondly, these violations threaten the privacy and human rights of all Indonesians. If local police are permitted to target one group of people in this way, then other individuals and groups in Indonesia are also potentially at risk of the same kind of treatment. If the law does not protect everyone, then ultimately it protects no one.
Thirdly, this campaign of persecution is also affecting the provision of HIV prevention, testing and treatment services to gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM). Fear of being targeted by police, other authorities and even neighbours is driving gay and MSM communities underground, making it much harder to deliver information and support to an already vulnerable group of people. This is a public health issue that should concern all Indonesians due to the growing impact that HIV is having on Indonesia’s health system.
Further to this, we note that the Indonesia Health Law (UU No 39 Year 2009) guarantees that implementation of health services shall be carried out with responsibility, safety and quality, and distributed evenly and non-discriminatively to all Indonesian people. In addition, the Indonesian government has a stated plan to cover the whole population with Universal Health Coverage (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional) by 2019 with the following objectives as stated by Indonesia’s Minister of Health on 28/08/14:
To enable people accessing healthcare services without financial hardship
To perform cost contained and quality controlled healthcare services.
To strengthen healthcare services at primary and referral health facilities
To prioritize preventive and promotive measures in rendering healthcare services to reduce prevalence of diseases, lower the numbers of sick-people with efficient healthcare services.
Finally, responding to the plight of others with empathy and benevolence is an essential part of our common humanity. Imagine being subjected to the trauma and humiliation these men have endured, or the discrimination and exclusion that Indonesia’s LGBT community is experiencing, simply for expressing love or a gender identity.
The unwarranted treatment of these men, and the increasingly virulent campaign against Indonesia’s LGBT community, seeks to position LGBT people as ‘outsiders’ and a ‘threat to society’. However, LGBT people are just like everyone else – everyday people and fellow citizens who work hard to create a better life for themselves, their families and their community. As such we appeal to the people of Indonesia and our supporters across the world to join our efforts to ensure these men and all LGBT Indonesians are afforded the legal rights and health services to which they are entitled as citizens, and the compassion and dignity to which they are entitled as human beings.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Share this statement with family, friends and colleagues to create awareness about this issue.
Contact Indonesian government representatives or embassies to protest against the treatment of the men and the campaign against Indonesia’s LGBT community.
GWL-INA – Indonesian organisation working on HIV, health and rights issues for gay men, transgender people and men who have sex with men
APCOM – community network advocating on issues which affect HIV, human rights, health and well-being of gender and sexual minorities in Asia and the Pacific
All Out – non-profit organisation that mobilises local organisations and activists around the world to push for equality for LGBT people
ARC International – organisation with a full-time presence in Geneva committed to advancing LGBT issues within the UN human rights system
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus – Southeast Asian community network advocating on issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network – international organisation working to defend the rights of people affected by HIV, from women, newcomers, and gay men, to prisoners, people who use drugs, sex workers, and MSM
COC – Dutch LGBTI organisation with a special consultative status with the United Nations
Council for Global Equality – US advocacy organisation seeking to US foreign policy that’s inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity
EGALECanada Human Rights Trust – Canada’s only national charity promoting LGBT human rights through research, education and community engagement.
Gays Without Borders – international network of LGBT advocacy activists and organisations
The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) – international organisation focused on HIV, health and rights for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender people
Global Interfaith Network on Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (GIN-SSOGIE)
Human Rights Campaign – the largest U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization with more than 1.5 million members and supporters
ILGA Asia – Asian chapter of International Lesbian and Gay Association
ILGA Oceania – Pacific chapter of International Lesbian and Gay Association
International HIV/AIDS Alliance– alliance to support community groups in over 40 countries to take local, national and global action on HIV, health and human rights
JoopeA Foundation– Netherlands-based organisation working to defend the rights of LGBTIQ people in Iran
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