Iran’s Raisi Attacks West for Promoting “Ugly Phenomenon of Homosexuality”

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has used his official visit to Uganda to sharply condemn Western nations for allegedly promoting “the ugly phenomenon of homosexuality.”

“The Western countries try to identify homosexuality as an index of civilization, while this is one of the dirtiest things which have been done in human history,” Raisi said on July 12 after a private meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

“I believe that this issue, and these strong attacks by the West against the establishment of families and against the culture of the nations, is another area of cooperation for Iran and Uganda,” he also said.

Raisi made the remarks after Uganda introduced legislation in May making "aggravated homosexuality" a capital offense and same-sex relations punishable by life in prison, triggering outrage among human rights groups, the United Nations, LGBT activists and Western countries.

In Iran, the punishment for homosexuality is death for men and up to 100 lashes for women. After repeat offenses, women can become subject to the death penalty.

During a 2007 visit to Columbia University in New York, then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad triggered laughs and boos from the audience and widespread criticism in the West when he said, “In Iran we don’t have homosexuals like in your country.” 

“In Iran we do not have this phenomenon,” he continued. “I do not know who has told you we have it.”

On July 12, Raisi embarked on a rare Africa tour that Tehran said was meant to “promote economic diplomacy, strengthen political relations with friendly and aligned countries, and diversify the export destinations.”

Raisi's visits to Kenya and Uganda are the first to the African continent by an Iranian president in 11 years. He will also visit Zimbabwe, which like Iran is under US sanctions.