“Under the Sky:” The New Podcast on Iran’s LGBTQ Community

IranWire has launched a new series of podcasts, Under the Sky, about members of the LGBTQ community in Iran.

The podcast series, hosted by Shaya Goldoust, focuses on issues related to sexual and gender identity. 

It has already published five episodes – titled Unrequited Love, Cancer, Hossein's Love, Relationship and Acceptance – which are available on IranWire's website, social media platforms and various podcast applications. 

Each episode has a duration of 30 to 40 minutes and is released every Monday.

It features a guest from the rainbow community, a relative or a friend who shares her or his experience as an LGBTQ individual or someone close to a member of the community.

The program aims to fight against generalizations, focusing on specific, poignant aspects of these people’s lives, whether bitter or sweet. 

The content of the podcasts is presented in storytelling style, with educational insights on the rainbow society, sexual orientations, as well as various gender identities and expressions. 

Rainbow communities in Persian-speaking countries like Iran and Afghanistan face marginalization and oppression due to cultural, social, religious and legal factors. 

Lack of proper education about gender and sexuality, coupled with negative stereotypes and hatred, has fostered misunderstanding and discrimination in these countries. 

Members of the rainbow community thus face double challenges.

In recent years, social media have provided platforms for members of the rainbow community, making their presence more visible and compensating for the restrictions they endure in their lives. 

Sharing their lived experiences through initiatives like the Under the Sky podcasts plays a vital role in increasing societal awareness and acceptance.