Dear Mr. Soroush,
I am following up on an email I sent you on March 31st.The email was regarding the homophobic article written by Mr. Laghaei in March 5, 2010 issue of your magazine.
 
 
Dear Sir/Madam,

I recently read an article entitled “Difference from Earth to Sky” that was published in the March 5, 2010 edition of your magazine. I am quite disappointed by Mr. Eshragh Laghaei’s abuse of the freedom we enjoy here in Canada. Are the claims made in this article based on any scientific facts? This article is clearly discriminatory in nature and fueled by the writer’s ignorance and predefined prejudices towards some members of our society.
 
 
With Dr. Mossallanejad, I have posted an article he has written on homosexuality below. I also sent the article to Danestaniha requesting they publish it, and I am happy to see that they have done so.
Dr. Ezat Mossallanejad is an Iranian-born Settlement Counselor and Policy Analyst for the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture in Toronto. The article provides unbiased and factual information on the subject of homosexuality.
 
 
Here is a rough translation of an article that was published in Danestaniha Persian Magazine on March 5, 2010. The magazine is based in Vancouver, and the writer’s name is Eshragh Laghaei. 

He starts by saying how he was caught off guard by two lesbians having their wedding at the hotel he works at. He claims that they didn’t have the hotel booked for the occasion in the first place and before he could do anything they were gone. He writes:
 
Omid & Roya 04/05/2010
 
Omid & Roya is a short documentary that tells the story of an Iranian female-to-male transsexual.
Part 1:
Part 2:
 
Happy Norooz! 03/23/2010
 
It has been a while since the last time we updated our blog. However, it is Norooz, and I would like to seize this opportunity to wish those who celebrate Norooz a very Happy and Prosperous Norooz.
As Norooz signals the arrival of spring and rebirth of nature, let us at Art for Rights renew our commitment to eliminating violence, stigmatization, verbal abuse, and other forms of prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Happy Norooz:
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Shunned (2009) 10/27/2009
 
Shunned tells "the story of three LGBTQ Arab Palestinians who have chosen to be who they are despite living in a society that refuses to accept them and shuns their true identity." You can buy it here.
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Ivri Lider is an openly gay Israeli singer. To learn more about him click here.
I hope to see more Middle Eastern singers and artists find the courage in themselves to come out of the closet and stand up for social justice for all. Click on "Read More" to see Ivri Lider's interview on CBS News on Logo.
 
Saye Sky 10/12/2009
 
Saye is an Iranian lesbian rapper and song writer. The song is dedicated to all queer Iranians in particular Iranian lesbians.
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October 11 is National Coming Out Day. Happy National Coming Out Day!
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