The Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO; ), also known as the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization, was an advocacy group for LGBT rights in Iran based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The organization was founded by human rights activist Arsham Parsi and monitored violations of gay rights in Iran. Under the Islamic laws of Iran, homosexuality is punishable by death.
Arsham Parsi left the organizationIRQO: A Review of the Restructured LGBT Rights Organization. Iranian Queer Organization. and founded a new organization called the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees.Rau, Krishna. Feuding Iranian queer groups look to future. Xtra! November 18, 2009.
While living in Iran in 2001, Parsi founded an internet group that later became known as the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization.Esfandiari, Golnaz. Iran: Persian Gay And Lesbian Activist Urges Tolerance. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. May 17, 2007. The organization produces a monthly email newsletter called Cheraq (light) and has 6000 members in Iran.Von Mittelstaedt, Juliane.; Steinworth, Daniel. Wave of Homophobia Sweeps the Muslim World. Spiegel Online. September 17, 2009.
IRQO provided an avenue for homosexuals in Iran to communicate with like minded activists around the world. Following the Iranian election protests in 2009, IRQO distributed an open letter from university students in Iran deploring the state of gay rights in the country.Erbentraut, Joseph. Will Gay Iranians Come Out of the Revolt Better --or Worse? Edge Boston. June 30, 2009. The organization also published a letter from gay Iranian Mehdi Kazemi after his boyfriend was executed and he was at risk for deportation to Iran.Brouwer, Christine.; Riviera, Gloria. Iranian Teen Fears Deportation Means Death. ABC News. March 8, 2008.
In 2008, IRQO was one of the two winners of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission's (IGLHRC) Felipa de Souza Award and Arsham Parsi received that award at the ceremony.IGLHRC Announces 2008 Felipa de Souza Award Winners. Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees. March 4, 2008.
IRQO dissolved the organization in March 2019.IRQO voluntarily dissolved the organization . March 9, 2019.
See also Mullah Taha LGBT rights in Iran Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees
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