Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni Memorial Page

July 2005, two teenagers were executed in Iran for being gay. Some of the English language news reports do not provide a lot of information about the teenagers.

The UKGay.Com news report indicates the teenagers were accused of sexually assaulting a 13 year old teenager and of having same-gender sex. There is some question about the rape of a 13 year old. The article indicates the teenagers were only identified by their initials A.M. and M.A. A 365Gay.com report indentifies the teenagers as Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni. UKGay.Com and 365Gay.com news reports state the teenagers were tortured when they were in prison. They were reported to have been whipped 228 times in the 14 months they were in prison.

The teenagers might have been tortured until they admitted to crimes they did not actually commit. Torture can be so brutal people will admit to serious crimes to stop the torture, even when they know the penalty for the crime is death. There is, however, some question about the teenagers knowing same-gender sex was a capital offense. A 365Gay.com article states the teenagers did not know same-gender sexual activities were punished with the death penalty.

More information about Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni can be found at the following web sites:

UKGay.Com - Iranian teens executed for homosexuality

365Gay.Com - Pressure Mounts Over Iranian Execution Of Gay Teens

365Gay.Com - Report: Iran Gay Teens Executed

QueerPlanet - Gay Teens Executed in Iran


People wanting to make a difference can write or email their federal representatives - Member of Parliament, Representative, Senator, Prime Minister or President. The QueerPlanet web site has a letter that was sent to American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. The letter can be modified and emailed or mailed to your represenatitve.

QueerPlanet - Secretary Rice Urged to Condemn Execution of Gay Iranian Teens

Stop Hate 2000 - How You Can Help page has links to web sites providing email addresses for Canadian and American political representatives

Pride Gay Christian - Political Activism, a page giving links to American, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and United Kingdom political represenatives