Queer Martyrs: Alireza Fazeli Monfared

Hello pornies. After all the madness about Star Wars Day died, I read news that shocked me to the core. A beautiful, Iranian young man had been killed by his half-brother and two cousins when they learned he was gay. Although he was only 20 years old, just like Matthew Shepard, and just like Bobby Grifith. This May 4th, Ali "Alireza" Fazeli Monfared became another queer martyr.

Instead of recounting the events, the website 6Rang offers a very complete view of them. Here's an excerpt so you know who Alireza was:

Ali Fazeli Monfared, known to family and friends as Alireza, was a twenty-year-old gay man living in the neighborhood of Mahal Tasviye Shekar (Sugar Refining Path) in Ahvaz, Iran. Alireza was kidnapped by a group of men from his family, beheaded, and found the next day.

According to Aghil Bayat, an Arab LGBTQI activist who had been in touch with Alireza since late 2019, the murder took place following the revelation of Alireza’s sexual orientation. This event took place when his half-brother opened an envelope containing Alireza’s military exemption card.

These exemption cards are issued through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Alireza received one by indicating that he was gay, which is permissible under Paragraph 5, Article 7 of the military exemption laws. Unfortunately, in Alireza’s case, this selection cost him his life.

The men accused of Alireza’s murder contacted his mother on Wednesday and informed her that she could find her son’s dead body laying at the foot of a palm tree.

Alireza’s mother is, understandably, in a state of shock. She is suffering an immense amount of grief because of the death of her only child, and has been hospitalized as a result. Alireza’s partner, who currently lives in Turkey, has informed 6rang that all three men associated with the murder have been arrested and charged with first degree murder.

Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad shared the story along with some details and several videos of police brutalizing LGBT+ Iranians shared by the victims themselves:

Rest in peace Alireza Fazeli Monfared. This 20-year-old beautiful soul from Iran was brutally killed by his brother & cousins for being gay as part of an honour killing.

Iran's LGBTQ community is brutalised both by the regime & by bigotry in certain families#علیرضا_فاضلی_منفرد pic.twitter.com/LsWBlvSKYX

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) May 8, 2021

Also, Iranian human rights lawyer Gissou Nia explained the situation regarding abuse in families when someone is outed:

RIP Alireza Fazeli Monfared 💔

Brutally killed and disposed of by his family because of his sexuality.

Cultural attitudes in society towards homosexuality are a literal life or death problem. What compounds the problem is when the laws of a state do not provide any protection. pic.twitter.com/rycx8WdELm

— Gissou Nia/ گیسو نیا (@GissouNia) May 8, 2021

Some time ago I read a tweet by a friend who said pride parades, events, and the whole idea idea of queer pride was unnecessary, that he didn't see the point or the hype when June came. This is one of the reasons. Alireza, Bobby, Matthew, and every single queer person who suffers in silence are the reason. Deaths like Alireza's are more than enough to keep fighting, to keep educating, and doing whatever it is we can to end news like this one.

Watching Alireza's videos and photos, I can only imagine what a funny and kind guy he was, who great it would have been to spend the time with him, how easily he would make you smile. He had a light you don't see that often, a calming, yet mischievous aura, and as before, with Bobby, I couldn't not write a poem to remember him by, and will finish with the very same words as before: "Feel free to use it as a prayer, a chant, a spell, a meditation, or anything you want, but use it and remember. He was just 20 years old."

Smiling Rainbow

Happy soul so soon departed,

Smiling sun killed by backstabbing,

All of your dreams were to be free,

But you were left under the trees.

Happy soul so soon departed,

Smiling sun killed by backstabbing,

Justice and love didn't grant you respect,

But your face we won't forget.

Happy soul so soon departed,

Smiling sun killed by backstabbing,

Shine your light to show the path,

Discover the road to end this war.

Happy soul so soon departed,

Smiling sun killed by backstabbing,

Your blood did betray you,

But your story's an echo.

Resting in light, as son of the rainbow

Kinky regards, K!

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