# There are No Gays in Iran **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375 "2007-09-25T00:56:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/1 "2007-09-25T00:56:26Z")
[Well, I’ll be damned](http://hotair.com/archives/2007/09/24/video-there-are-no-gays-in-iran-says-ahmadinejad/). I had no idea. Maybe it’s because, I don’t know, you fucking have them killled? What a tremendous asshole. [Bravo to Dean Bollinger](http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/006761.php), though. I have no problem with Ahmadinejad speaking, although I wouldn’t have cried suppresion or censorship if the invitation had been pulled. I figured he’d say something disgusting…I just never figured it would be something as batshit-insane as that. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/2 "2007-09-25T01:24:08Z")
Well, since my friend Mazdak moved here, that’s one fewer. It’s a very common sentiment: plenty of places are convinced that homosexuality is strictly a western thing, that doesn’t exist in the pure bosom of the motherland, except when spread there by the corrupting, degenerate Europeans. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/3 "2007-09-25T01:32:22Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Well, since my friend Mazdak moved here, that’s one fewer. It’s a very common sentiment: plenty of places are convinced that homosexuality is strictly a western thing, that doesn’t exist in the pure bosom of the motherland, except when spread there by the corrupting, degenerate Europeans. [/QUOTE] Nah, it’s corrupting, degenerate Canadians. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/4 "2007-09-25T01:36:40Z")
Tons of bisexuals, though. It’s where we go during winter break. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/5 "2007-09-25T01:44:29Z")
I was struck by that part of his speech as well. Can’t explain? Deny, deny, deny! It seemed to me like the Iranian president neither answered questions effectively nor said anything new. I’m not sure I would consider that a success. But I was conflicted by Dean Bollinger’s actions, and I’m not sure I can add to the chorus of “bravos” there. ISTM that when you invite someone to your school (or your home), you have certain obligations to them as a guest, which would include the minimum civility of not insulting them to their face. If you cannot in good conscience do that, then you shouldn’t allow them to come. I agreed with the Iranain president that the Dean was both rude and insulting, and whatever their own feelings of their president, I don’t imagine the Iranian populace will be any more gratified to hear their president has been publicly insulted than many Americans would be to hear our president was publicly insulted during a similar appearance in Iran. And yes, I know, Bush is the anti-Christ, he would completely deserve it, perhaps if we’re lucky they would set him on fire, blah blah blah; my point is that for many respect of the office precludes insulting the office-holder when he or she is acting in his/her official capacity. So I did not think that was well done of the Dean. ETA: I would have liked to have seen more sensitivity on this matter in this case in particular, because even knowing very little about Persian culture, I have heard how much importance they place on honoring a guest. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/6 "2007-09-25T01:49:03Z")
This thread title is just begging for a song. Preferably to a showtune. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/7 "2007-09-25T02:03:06Z")
I’m reminded of the Tonight Show episode when Michael Landon told Carson, "No, the Cartwrights were **not** homosexuals… _But, thank God, Hop Sing **was!**"_ ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/8 "2007-09-25T02:03:59Z")
I don’t know who told you there were… ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/9 "2007-09-25T02:37:27Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] It’s a very common sentiment: plenty of places are convinced that homosexuality is strictly a western thing, that doesn’t exist in the pure bosom of the motherland, except when spread there by the corrupting, degenerate Europeans. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I’ve heard this from Japanese as well. ---
**Author:** ![Onan\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ce73a5/32.png) [@Onan\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onan_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/10 "2007-09-25T02:41:23Z")
[QUOTE=asterion] This thread title is just begging for a song. Preferably to a showtune. [/QUOTE] I was just about to say, that immediately made me think of the song ‘Starlings on the Slipstream’ by Pavement that goes: “There’s no women in Alaska, There’s no creoles in Vermont.” And of course, no gays in Iran. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/11 "2007-09-25T03:07:44Z")
[QUOTE=Jodi] I was struck by that part of his speech as well. Can’t explain? Deny, deny, deny! It seemed to me like the Iranian president neither answered questions effectively nor said anything new. I’m not sure I would consider that a success. But I was conflicted by Dean Bollinger’s actions, and I’m not sure I can add to the chorus of “bravos” there. ISTM that when you invite someone to your school (or your home), you have certain obligations to them as a guest, which would include the minimum civility of not insulting them to their face. [/QUOTE] Yeah, Bollinger blew it. Was he trying to show that he’s a tough guy, even though he was “soft” enough to invite the guy? He set Ahmedenajad up as a sort of martyr. Even Charles Krauthammer gave his some grief over that. The audience laughed out loud at the gay comment, as well they should. It’s nutty. Let the guy hang himself with his own noose, though-- don’t give the audience any reason to be sympathetic to him. We have no homosexuals in Iran. Yeah, only in the decedent west does that sort of thing occur. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/12 "2007-09-25T03:31:20Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] It’s a very common sentiment: plenty of places are convinced that homosexuality is strictly a western thing, that doesn’t exist in the pure bosom of the motherland, except when spread there by the corrupting, degenerate Europeans. [/QUOTE] Too, too right, **matt** :mad: Where it says “Homosexuality” add or substitute ANY form of deviant, “undesirable” or disturbing conduct, speech or idea. Where it says "Europeans"substitute “Anglo Americans” Congratulations, you just explained away all the social ills of Puerto Rico… and most of Latin America FWIW. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/13 "2007-09-25T03:47:24Z")
[QUOTE=asterion] This thread title is just begging for a song. Preferably to a showtune. [/QUOTE] How about “I’m the Only Gay Eskimo”[?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPcYrmMNRCg) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/14 "2007-09-25T04:30:47Z")
“There are no gays in I-ra-a-an, and the streets are paved with di-nars…” ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/15 "2007-09-25T04:40:20Z")
Anyone have a transcript of Dean Bollinger’s remarks? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/16 "2007-09-25T05:27:37Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] “There are no gays in I-ra-a-an, and the streets are paved with di-nars…” [/QUOTE] To the tune of “There are no cats in America” from AN AMERICAN TALE? ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/17 "2007-09-25T05:53:19Z")
[QUOTE=asterion] This thread title is just begging for a song. Preferably to a showtune. [/QUOTE] “And Iran, Iran so far way, Iran, Iran all night and day - 'cos I ain’t caught teh gay” ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/18 "2007-09-25T06:41:16Z")
[QUOTE=Sophistry and Illusion] Yeah, I’ve heard this from Japanese as well. [/QUOTE] Huh, that’s interesting, because as far as I knew Japan has a [long, complex, and storied history](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_Japan) of homosexuality being practiced in their culture. I’m not questioning you, just surprised that Japanese people would take the stance that it doesn’t ordinarily exist in among any of their people. ---
**Author:** ![Aquila\_Be](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Aquila\_Be](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquila_Be)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/19 "2007-09-25T10:59:41Z")
[QUOTE=Jodi] — I agreed with the Iranain president that the Dean was both rude and insulting, and whatever their own feelings of their president, I don’t imagine the Iranian populace will be any more gratified to hear their president has been publicly insulted — [/quote] You’re wrong about that. IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency provided an old fashioned Pravda style report on the Columbia speech by Ahmadinejad, so contrary to the alarm expressed by some Dopers about Bollinger’s remarks upsetting the Iranian people, hell, hardly any of them will even get to read them. From the following link, this is the kind of glop they’ll read concerning the speech: [IRNA](http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0709252616013529.htm) > [@](#): > > On second day of his entry in New York, and amid standing ovation of the audience that had attended the hall where the Iranian President was to give his lecture as of early hours of the day, Ahmadinejad said that Iran is not going to attack any country in the world. > Before President Ahamadinejad’s address, Colombia University Chancellor in a brief address told the audience that they would have the chance to hear Iran’s stands as the Iranian President would put them forth. > He said that the Iranians are a peace loving nation, they hate war, and all types of aggression. > Referring to the technological achievements of the Iranian nation in the course of recent years, the president considered them as a sign for the Iranians’ resolute will for achieving sustainable development and rapid advancement. > The audience on repeated occasion applauded Ahmadinejad when he touched on international crises. That’s the lying glurge that was fed to the Iranian people. > [@Jodi](#): > > So I did not think that was well done of the Dean. Why should it matter? When dealing with polities like Iran, you’re dealing with the criminals in charge and why should anyone care what they think? As for “the people” of Iran, only a tiny number will ever get access to what was actually said at Columbia and I doubt that they will be particularly offended at the few mild truths uttered by Dean Bollinger. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375/20 "2007-09-25T12:06:20Z")
Somebody sign him up for a [gay.com](http://gay.com) profile so he can see for himself. On second thought strike that as it might only result in beheadings. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-gays-in-iran/420375.md?page=2)