Homosexuality In Iran

Introduction: In Iran, sexual behavior toward the same sex is not only highly stigmatized but is a major crime with severe possible consequences. Homosexuals carry out a highly clandestine life style kept secret even to their first degree relatives. To the best of our knowledge, homosexuality has been rarely studied in Iran. So,we intended to make an inquiry in to their general aspects of life, strategies for partner finding, same sex oriented communities, and high risk sexual behaviors.

Methods: 12 individuals who identified themselves as homosexual were recruited from a private sex clinic in Tehran. They voluntarily participated in qualitative assessment methods of focus groups and in-depth interviews during May- July 2006.

Results: The result showed that homosexuals primarily tended to classify themselves according to their partner finding/meeting places including: i) chatrooms ii) parties iii) parks iv) coffee shops and v) gyms. It was claimed that such categorization is accompanied by a set of stereotypes in behavior and attitude and specific socio-economic status. Chatrooms were the most wide spread used ways of communication, while parks and parties were more considered as settings for casual sex partner finding with highest rates of unprotected sex, especially in lower socio economic status group.