Abstract
This chapter focuses on gay activism and non-formal outreach work among Iranian gay men, living inside of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It discusses what it means to be a gay activist and how it is possible to build up a community of support and learning through underground or online outreach work, in a society that criminalizes same-sex sexual acts. In schools and other educational institutions there is no discussion about homosexuality because the public discourse does not include or recognize these subject positions. Subsequently there are no overt or visible gay organizations in Iran. Outreach work and education about homosexuality and queer issues must therefore be done underground and through unofficial channels. The chapter draws on interviews with gay identifying Iranian males that could be defined as activists, fighting for sexual rights, and educating, reaching out to, the younger generation of sexual minorities, through various online channels or platforms.
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Kjaran, J.I. (2020). Queer Activism and Non-formal Outreach Work in Iran: Creating a Community of Support and Learning. In: Francis, D., Kjaran, J., Lehtonen, J. (eds) Queer Social Movements and Outreach Work in Schools. Queer Studies and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41610-2_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41610-2_7
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