In Pakistan, homosexuals live secret double lives to conform to social norms, while agreeing to participate in arranged marriages. The situation has gotten to such a dangerous level that homosexuals in various countries including Pakistan actively seek political asylum in western countries where sexual orientation does not lead to capital punishment.
In Saudi Arabia, someone convicted of sodomy can receive 7000 lashes.
In September 2007, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad famously stated at Columbia University that “In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country.” It is the belief of many within Radical Islam that any tendency toward homosexual behavior is the direct influence of the West.
Within a three month period in 2007, more than 30 homosexuals were executed in Iraq. Known commonly as “sexual cleansing”, the bodies were found tortured and mutilated and many bodies exhibited indications of rape.
Iraqi militant Ali Hassay described in an interview the reason for targeting gays and lesbians. “They deserve death,” Hassay stated. “Those people are an embarrassment to our society. Killing such people is a job for their families, but if they cannot do so by their own hands, we will do it.”
One Iraqi living in the shadow of social discrimination and the threat of capital punishment expressed sadness that he is unable to express himself in public. “What for me is love, unfortunately, is punishable by death,” explained medical student Ahmed Fatah.
Family members of homosexuals often perform “honor killings” to “clean the name of their disgraced family.” The punisher who performs the murder is typically exempt from prosecution. Upon killing a relative in an honor killing the murderer is usually viewed by his community as a hero.
In the U.S. public discourse focuses on whether or not members of the LGBT community should have the right to marry. Within Radical Islam the notion is that homosexuals should not be granted the right to live.
Murder based on sexual orientation is the most basic violation of human rights.
