Recently, in the month of Khordad this year, the Herana news agency reported on the summoning and interrogation of a number of members of the sexual and gender minority community following their presence in popular Instagram live streams. According to the report, these individuals have been threatened that if they continue their activities, they will face serious legal consequences. Additionally, one person was forced to post a photo of Ayatollah Khomeini and Khamenei on their social media page and thank them for the fatwa legitimizing their gender confirmation actions. Maryam, a transgender resident of Iran, told this news agency that she was previously summoned by a security institution and asked to inform them of the time and location of a transgender gathering, which she refused to do.

All of these incidents and legal actions are taking place while there are always individuals claiming that, despite the criminalization of homosexuality in Iranian penal laws, the conditions for sexual and gender minorities in the country are normal and they hold gatherings as

Notes:
1- Center for Human Rights Documentation in Iran, Siamak Qaderi’s Death Certificate: A Narrative of a Journalist Imprisoned in Evin Prison
2- Asr-e Iran, News Code: 560093
3- Report from Iran International, Thursday, 19 Dey 1397 (January 9, 2019)
4- Hrana, News Code: 25005