Fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in Iraq

For the past 5 years, Rasan organization has been defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Iraq, in spite of the numerous threats and hostility brought by ISIS in this region.

Ayaz and his coworkers from Rasan face daily threats for advocating for LGBTQ+ and women’s rights in Iraq.

In the city of Sulaymaniyah, in the eastern part of the Iraqi Kurdistan, Rasan –which means « strong » in Kurdish language — stands as the only shelter for LGBTQ+ people (homosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals and other non) in the whole country. Within its walls, they can at last fully come out and accept their sexual or gender identity witout risking any sort of retaliation. « Even in Bagdad, there is no safe space for them, not a single bar or restaurant where they could meet up and talk like in most Western countries » says Ayaz Shalal, one of Rasan’s co founders. At the end of 2014, at only 21 years old, Ayaz reopened this former women’s rights association to also include the LGBTQ+ cause.

« After going through years of harsh dictatorship and war, Human’s rights in general are a big issue in Iraq but women, children and LGBTQ+ people are the most vulnerable. There are several organizations here defending women’s and children’s rights, but nothing had ever been done for LGBTQ+. However, they are the first victims of discriminations ! »

Women, children and LGBTQ+ people are the most vulnerable in this country.

Back then, Islamic State was at its peak in the Middle East. Violences directed towards LGBTQ+ people which had been happening for years turned into annihilation. From 2014 to 2017, they were systematically tracked and hunt down by ISIS members.

« Daech henchmen would throw homosexuals from buildings. Everybody was terrorized, guys were even affraid to have light colored hair or to wear tight jeans, even if they were not gay because they feared being assassinated ! » remembers Ayaz.

Fighting for LGBTQ+ rights was then extremely dangerous. « I remember the day we painted the outside walls of Rasan’s with art representing women and LGBT rights. We felt very exposed, we could have been shot down at any time. We even did some of the paintings during the night to avoid bringing too much attention to us ».

ISIS would sell women as sexual slave and assassinate and kill any person suspected of being homosexual.

Today, as ISIS has left this part of the country, things are doing better, although many issues remain. « We get a lot of hateful messages, especially on social media, and even death threats », says Ayaz. « And I have been beaten on the streets several times because of my work ».

Homosexuality is still a huge taboo in Iraq, where most people think it is a contagious disease or a western concept spread by Americans and Europeans to destroy the local culture. In theses circumstances, finding a job or even studying is extremely difficult for homosexual and trans people. Within families, honor crimes are very common. Even if homosexuality is no longer strictly forbidden in the constitution, its legal status remains unclear and homophobic crimes are often umpunished or condoned.

« Many people, including amongst human rights NGOs and the governement, refuse to work with usbecause we help LGBTQ+ people. Even the UN local agency turns down every partnership request ! ».

Iraq has always been a patriarchal country, but things got worse during ISIS

In order to try to change mentalities, Rasan has implemented various actions. Awareness rising campaigns and advocacy with local leaders, lobbying, psychological and material support to LGBTQ+. « Many of them have gone through trauma, they often don’t have a proper understanding of their sexuality, they feel ashamed, rejected by their family and friends ». In the most extreme cases, Rasan also helps them to get visas and seek asylum abroad when their lives are threatened.

« We try educating people step by step so that they understand what being LGBT actually means. For instance, it is crucial that doctors and nurses know that homosexuality is not a disease, so that they don’t get discriminated against when they need to be treated ». The role of religious leaders is also decisive, considering their huge influence in local communities. « We now have imams who promote LGBT rights, which had never happened in Iraq before ! » says Ayaz. Yet, the fight is far from being over. « People are slowly opening their minds and growing more tolerant, especially the youth, but to be honest the situation is still extremely concerning. We will not be able to organize a gay pride before many years, if not decades ». In 2020, homosexual relationships are still illegal in 72 countries and punishable by death in eight of them.