Single gay male traveling through Iran
Mar 18, 2014, 2:20 am
#1
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Single gay male traveling through Iran
Hi all!
I am visiting Iran next month to tour Tehran, Esfahan, and Shiraz for about 11 days. It will be my first time in Iran and I would appreciate advice from any fellow homos that have been to Iran recently. I booked a tour through a tour company and I am all set with the visa situation. There is not much information on the internet when it comes to gay life in Iran, so I am curious if anyone has been recently.
Note that I am NOT looking to make a scene in Iran. I live and work in extremely homophobic countries (currently working in Uganda and Nigeria), and I know how to conduct myself. Just looking for guidance from fellow LGBT travelers who have visited Iran before. Thank you!
I am visiting Iran next month to tour Tehran, Esfahan, and Shiraz for about 11 days. It will be my first time in Iran and I would appreciate advice from any fellow homos that have been to Iran recently. I booked a tour through a tour company and I am all set with the visa situation. There is not much information on the internet when it comes to gay life in Iran, so I am curious if anyone has been recently.
Note that I am NOT looking to make a scene in Iran. I live and work in extremely homophobic countries (currently working in Uganda and Nigeria), and I know how to conduct myself. Just looking for guidance from fellow LGBT travelers who have visited Iran before. Thank you!
Mar 18, 2014, 11:57 am
#2
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I don't know much about travelling in Iran. My partner and I have a bunch of Irani friends, none who identify as gay, and I would love to visit. I am sure you will be fine as long as you navigate yourself as you have in the countries you have mentioned.
On a side note, you might want to get in touch with this twitter use: @IranLGBT ?
Good luck ^, let us know how it went.
On a side note, you might want to get in touch with this twitter use: @IranLGBT ?
Good luck ^, let us know how it went.
Mar 18, 2014, 2:07 pm
#3
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I don't know much about travelling in Iran. My partner and I have a bunch of Irani friends, none who identify as gay, and I would love to visit. I am sure you will be fine as long as you navigate yourself as you have in the countries you have mentioned.
On a side note, you might want to get in touch with this twitter use: @IranLGBT ?
Good luck ^, let us know how it went.
On a side note, you might want to get in touch with this twitter use: @IranLGBT ?
Good luck ^, let us know how it went.
I will post a detailed report after finishing my travel. I believe it can help future gay travelers.
Mar 18, 2014, 7:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...th-792057.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/ira...n-tehranbureau
http://www.theguardian.com/world/ira...n-tehranbureau
Last edited by carlosdca; Mar 18, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Mar 18, 2014, 7:05 pm
#5
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An American, touring Iran, mmmm, interesting........if you are not on a CIA covert mission then you will be on the CIA and Homeland(Casa Patria) security blacklist.
Mar 18, 2014, 10:20 pm
#6
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It is actually not that bad. Many Americans visit Iran every year as tourists. If I had to be blacklisted for my travels, that would have happened the first time I went to work abroad. Most of my career has been spent working in countries with active civil wars. I even know of many Americans that have visited North Korea as tourists.
Mar 19, 2014, 8:56 am
#7
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It isn't common for Americans to go to Iran, but it does happen, perhaps more than you may think. The statement perhaps was a feeble attempt at humor, but is based on stereotypes, assumptions, and fear, rather than rational thought, kind of like linking gays to pedophiles as Mr. Putin does.
Mar 19, 2014, 11:33 am
#8
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It is actually not that bad. Many Americans visit Iran every year as tourists. If I had to be blacklisted for my travels, that would have happened the first time I went to work abroad. Most of my career has been spent working in countries with active civil wars. I even know of many Americans that have visited North Korea as tourists.
Back in 2005 when it was still novel, my ex and I had the opportunity to go to Pyongyang. We found out about it last minute, when we were already due to fly to St Maarten the next day. If flying St Maarten-Pyongyang didn't put us on CBP's radar, pretty sure nothing will.
We also visited Kish Island maybe 5 or so years ago. No visa required for Kish, but upon seeing American passports with 100+ pages, they put us off to the side to "wait" before being hauled into a back room. Nobody spoke any english, and we were nervous as hell what was up....to the point we started going through the iPhone and deleting apps....Grindr, etc, you get the pic...
They just wanted fingerprints, and let us go.
On the way back into the airport that evening, one of the guys came running up to my ex saying "YOU! COME!" and grabbed his arm and guided him back to that back room...and wouldn't let me go. I had no idea what the hell was up...and was prepared to get on the flight back to Dubai and rush to the embassy/etc.... Turns out they just didn't get a clear set of his fingerprints, and were probably concerned superiors in Tehran would get pissed.
Of course, we also went to Somalia together....
This post is making me think I should write a book about semi-undercover gay travel
Mar 20, 2014, 1:19 am
#9
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Well, put. Maybe a couple tidbits to share:
Back in 2005 when it was still novel, my ex and I had the opportunity to go to Pyongyang. We found out about it last minute, when we were already due to fly to St Maarten the next day. If flying St Maarten-Pyongyang didn't put us on CBP's radar, pretty sure nothing will.
We also visited Kish Island maybe 5 or so years ago. No visa required for Kish, but upon seeing American passports with 100+ pages, they put us off to the side to "wait" before being hauled into a back room. Nobody spoke any english, and we were nervous as hell what was up....to the point we started going through the iPhone and deleting apps....Grindr, etc, you get the pic...
They just wanted fingerprints, and let us go.
On the way back into the airport that evening, one of the guys came running up to my ex saying "YOU! COME!" and grabbed his arm and guided him back to that back room...and wouldn't let me go. I had no idea what the hell was up...and was prepared to get on the flight back to Dubai and rush to the embassy/etc.... Turns out they just didn't get a clear set of his fingerprints, and were probably concerned superiors in Tehran would get pissed.
Of course, we also went to Somalia together....
This post is making me think I should write a book about semi-undercover gay travel
Back in 2005 when it was still novel, my ex and I had the opportunity to go to Pyongyang. We found out about it last minute, when we were already due to fly to St Maarten the next day. If flying St Maarten-Pyongyang didn't put us on CBP's radar, pretty sure nothing will.
We also visited Kish Island maybe 5 or so years ago. No visa required for Kish, but upon seeing American passports with 100+ pages, they put us off to the side to "wait" before being hauled into a back room. Nobody spoke any english, and we were nervous as hell what was up....to the point we started going through the iPhone and deleting apps....Grindr, etc, you get the pic...
They just wanted fingerprints, and let us go.
On the way back into the airport that evening, one of the guys came running up to my ex saying "YOU! COME!" and grabbed his arm and guided him back to that back room...and wouldn't let me go. I had no idea what the hell was up...and was prepared to get on the flight back to Dubai and rush to the embassy/etc.... Turns out they just didn't get a clear set of his fingerprints, and were probably concerned superiors in Tehran would get pissed.
Of course, we also went to Somalia together....
This post is making me think I should write a book about semi-undercover gay travel
I worked in Somaliland in the past, so I know what you mean by visiting Somalia.
Still looking for information from any fellow homos who have been to Iran. Anyone? Bueller?
Mar 20, 2014, 6:33 am
#11
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Please post a trip report when you return! ^
Mar 21, 2014, 6:50 am
#13
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Mar 21, 2014, 9:13 am
#14
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boy, it's been decades since I've heard that word used!
Mar 23, 2014, 2:56 am
#15
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