Single gay male traveling through Iran
Jun 29, 2014, 7:03 am
#16
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I went, I saw, I conquered! Iran is a fabulous country. I feel that most things we are told about Iran in the American media are lies. The people are nice, warm, friendly, and just overall fantastic! I cannot say enough good things about Iran. It truly was a memorable experience.
I will write a detailed blog post later, but I just wanted to say definitely go if you get the chance.
I will write a detailed blog post later, but I just wanted to say definitely go if you get the chance.
Jun 29, 2014, 12:39 pm
#17
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It's great to hear you had an amazing experience, as my parents are Iranian and I have always wondered what it would be like to visit.
I think a lot of places that we expect would be hostile to GLBT people aren't as bad as people think. In a lot of places, such as Iran, the average person has no exposure whatsoever to anything remotely GLBT so they have little understanding of what it is to be gay aside from what they hear from the religious leaders. Of course if the only thing they hear is that all gays are child molesters and sexual deviants they aren't going to have a balanced view like we do in the Western world.
I think a lot of places that we expect would be hostile to GLBT people aren't as bad as people think. In a lot of places, such as Iran, the average person has no exposure whatsoever to anything remotely GLBT so they have little understanding of what it is to be gay aside from what they hear from the religious leaders. Of course if the only thing they hear is that all gays are child molesters and sexual deviants they aren't going to have a balanced view like we do in the Western world.
Jun 30, 2014, 3:34 am
#18
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How would an Iranian person know that a gay tourist is gay? Unless the visitor is planning to engage in gay sex there, I don't see how the experiences of a gay visitor would be any different from that of a non-gay visitor.
Jun 30, 2014, 12:32 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I went, I saw, I conquered! Iran is a fabulous country. I feel that most things we are told about Iran in the American media are lies. The people are nice, warm, friendly, and just overall fantastic! I cannot say enough good things about Iran. It truly was a memorable experience.
I will write a detailed blog post later, but I just wanted to say definitely go if you get the chance.
I will write a detailed blog post later, but I just wanted to say definitely go if you get the chance.
In the eyes of the local people, you were just another tourist, not a gay tourist.
I think the cautioness about going to Iran has more to do with being American than with being gay. Most local folks won't care and, quite the oppsite, may show an interest in American culture
But there is always the police, the military and haters which would be unfortunate to come across with. As stated in the "Iran Travel warning" of travel.state.gov:
Iranian authorities also have unjustly detained or imprisoned U.S. citizens on various charges, including espionage and posing a threat to national security.
Going back to being a gay tourist in Iran, unless you go on a rainbow pompom march or pull of a Conchita Wurst, nobody will know one is gay.
Last edited by carlosdca; Jun 30, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Jul 4, 2014, 6:53 pm
#20
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I never claimed that my experience will be different from any other tourist in Iran, just because I am gay. If you read my original post, I asked if anybody has any idea of the gay scene in Iran...I did not say I will have a different experience. I don't understand why you two are saying that my experience will be different from any other tourist...I never denied that.
What I was looking for in my trip is any hint of the gay scene in Iran...and I found some. I met some wonderful LGBT folks in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. It was interesting to know their perceptions, experiences, and POVs. It made me appreciate freedom even more and reminded me that we should never take freedom for granted.
What I was looking for in my trip is any hint of the gay scene in Iran...and I found some. I met some wonderful LGBT folks in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. It was interesting to know their perceptions, experiences, and POVs. It made me appreciate freedom even more and reminded me that we should never take freedom for granted.
Jul 5, 2014, 12:58 pm
#21
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I never claimed that my experience will be different from any other tourist in Iran, just because I am gay. If you read my original post, I asked if anybody has any idea of the gay scene in Iran...I did not say I will have a different experience. I don't understand why you two are saying that my experience will be different from any other tourist...I never denied that.
What I was looking for in my trip is any hint of the gay scene in Iran...and I found some. I met some wonderful LGBT folks in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. It was interesting to know their perceptions, experiences, and POVs. It made me appreciate freedom even more and reminded me that we should never take freedom for granted.
What I was looking for in my trip is any hint of the gay scene in Iran...and I found some. I met some wonderful LGBT folks in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. It was interesting to know their perceptions, experiences, and POVs. It made me appreciate freedom even more and reminded me that we should never take freedom for granted.
If so, based on your personal experience in Iran, could you tell what the attitudes and opinions of non-gay folks towards gays are?
Jul 9, 2014, 1:21 am
#22
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Some of the local folks I met were confused when I said "I am in a relationship with a man", some totally ignored it, and some didn't care.
Jul 15, 2014, 11:30 am
#23
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Aug 6, 2014, 11:45 pm
#25
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Having said that, I can give you the contact info of my guide in Tehran if you are still interested. He is a great guy, well-educated and traveled, and a great person overall. PM me for info.
Aug 7, 2014, 3:35 pm
#26
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Single gay male traveling through Iran
Not interested in a gay guide, just looking for a recommendation of any guide - finding it hard to figure out who is good and who isn't. If you could PM me the details, that would be great :-)
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Jun 8, 2016, 2:30 pm
#28
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Jun 16, 2016, 9:50 am
#29
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Location: LAS - where you can get married and divorced in the same 24 hour period. Perfect for the woman who's saving herself for marriage and the man who wants a one night stand.
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Jun 17, 2016, 11:28 am
#30
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