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A Repoart from LBL organization in
Denmark
Lars Næsbye Christensen
 On
Saturday, July 19th, a two hour demonstration was held in front of the
Iranian embassy in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
The demonstration was arranged in cooperation between Copenhagen Pride and
LBL-Ungdom, the youth division of the Danish National LGBT organization,
LBL. Between 50 and 60 demonstrates showed up and stood on a line, wearing
blindfolds as if they were to be executed. This was to commemorate Mahmoud
Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, who were hanged exactly 3 years ago on that day,
and to protest against the systematic atrocities committed towards LGBT
persons in Iran.
Close up pictures were taken of every remonstrant, and they will be shown
at an exhibition in August during Copenhagen Pride Week.
Three speeches were held: first by Martin Fönss Dufke, chairperson
of Copenhagen Pride, then by Nanna Moe, chairperson of LBL-Ungdom
and finally by MP Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen from the Unity List party.
All three emphasized the importance of supporting the Iranian
LGBT community by statements and actions like this and putting an end
to the prejudice and violence which has been a part of LGBT
history everywhere. Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, unsurprisingly, also
commented on the political situation in the Danish parliament where the
matters of gender-neutral marriage and adoption for same-sex couples are
heavily debated and some current cases where Iranian refugees have been
sent back with the message that they are not considered being in
mortal danger as long as they keep in the closet.
The demonstration was carried out in peace and quiet, and there was a good
dialogue with the police who only once had to tell the demonstrates to
stay on the other side of road.
Allegedly, last time there was a demonstration in front of the embassy,
some demonstrates had climbed over the fence and tried to steal the flag,
so they were a bit cautious this time.
The Iranian ambassador, Ahmad Daniali, was in the embassy during
the entire demonstration; in fact he arrived by car just minutes before.
No response came from the embassy, either before or after
the demonstration.
Lars Næsbye Christensen
Coordinator for LBL's bisexual network in Copenhagen
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