IraQueer (, ) is an Iraqi

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...

based in Sweden advocating for

LGBT rights in Iraq Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Iraq face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Openly LGBTQ individuals are subject to criminal penalties under the 2024 law making homosexual relations punis ...

. It was founded in 2015. The organization undertakes education, advocacy, and direct services. IraQueer offers direct services that respond to urgent needs including safe housing, and supporting asylum seekers. IraQueer also responds to

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

reports, and holds events. The organization has partnered with local and international organizations including

OutRight Action International Outright International (Outright) is an LGBTIQ human rights non-governmental organization that addresses human rights violations and abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. OutRight International documents human ...

, MADRE,

COC Nederland COC Nederland, also known as COC Netherlands, is a Dutch LGBTQ+ rights group founded in 1946. COC originally stood for ''Cultuur en Ontspanningscentrum'' (Center for Culture and Leisure), which was intended as a "cover" name for its real purpos ...

, and

Gay Times ''Gay Times'' (stylized in all caps), also known as ''GAY TIMES Magazine'' and as ''GT'', is a UK-based LGBTQ+ magazine established in 1984. Originally a magazine for gay and bisexual men, the company began including content for the LGBTQ+ comm ...

. It has also generated backlash from inside the country and has been renounced by Iraqi government officials. IraQueer is not registered in Iraq because LGBT organisations cannot register there, and is forced for security reasons to carry out most work anonymously. Its founder Amir Ashour lives in Sweden and was awarded a "Generation Change Award" at the

2021 MTV Europe Music Awards The 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards were held on 14 November 2021 at the László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary. This marked the first time that Hungary hosted the awards show and as well the first event has been held in a former ...

in Budapest.

History

Before 2015

Before founding IraQueer, Ashour had worked with Iraqi human rights organizations as well as international organizations like MADRE and

on documentation and advocating for the rights of

LGBT+ LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, asexual, aromantic, agender, and other individuals. The group i ...

individuals, according to a summit speech he gave. During his work as an activist, he met and interviewed Iraqi LGBT+ individuals. This later inspired the formation of IraQueer, he said.

Founding in 2015

In 2015, IraQueer was launched online on March 3, run by volunteers. Initially, IraQueer published accounts of Iraqi LGBT+ individuals on an online journal as well as educational resources in Arabic, Kurdish and English. These included a legal guide, a sexual health guide and a security guide. A few months after the launch of their website, IraQueer also gave trainings and engaged in international advocacy.

Projects

, IraQueer runs 3 types of projects: Education, Advocacy and Direct services.

Education

IraQueer produces written and visual resources in Arabic, Kurdish, and English to raise awareness among and about LGBT+ Iraqis. It also gives trainings and workshops to relevant stakeholders to advance the LGBT+ movement. Examples of projects falling under this umbrella include: * A security guide for LGBT+ Iraqis to increase their physical and digital safety. * A sexual health guide to increase health awareness amongst LGBT+ Iraqis. * A legal guide detailing the protective and discriminatory Iraqi laws against LGBT+ citizens. * A storybook containing LGBT+ stories from Iraq "Living on the Margins" * A biweekly radio shows that talk about different aspects of what it means to be LGBT+ in Iraq. This project is in collaboration with another Iraqi organization. * A series of Animated Videos that talk about the different aspects of being an LGBT+ individual in Iraq. All videos are available in Arabic and Kurdish, with English subtitles. * Workshops for nonprofits, government officials, companies, and other groups that are interested in human rights of LGBT+ individuals. Trainings are held in Arabic, Kurdish, or English.

Advocacy

IraQueer leads advocacy efforts to realize human rights of LGBT+ citizens. IraQueer aims at achieving this goal through engaging directly with the United Nations and other international platforms, publishing reports and submissions, and holding events. Examples include: * 2 shadow reports submitted to the

Universal Periodic Review The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) that emerged from the 2005 UN reform process.resolution 60/251of 3 April 2006, the UPR periodically examines the human rights performance of a ...

Committee. These reports were written with MADRE,

and another Iraqi organization. * 2 shadow reports submitted to the committee

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it was instituted ...

. These reports were written together with MADRE,

and another Iraqi Organization. * A report about Iraqi media's role in the spread of anti-LGBT+ violence called "Biased: Iraqi Media and the Spread of Anti-LGBT+ Rhetoric." Released in June 2020. It analysed Iraqi television shows about homosexuality and stated that 95% of the words used to refer to LGBT+ people were prejudiced instead of neutral. The report was supported by

. * A baseline study highlighting the state of LGBT+ rights in Iraq called "Fighting for the Right to Live". Released in June 2018. The report was supported by

. IraQueer has given speeches and has appeared on many media channels and international platforms. Including Iraqi TV Channel

Al Sharqiya Al Sharqiya ("The Eastern One") () is Iraq's first privately owned satellite channel. Baghdad and Dubai-based Iraqi media tycoon Saad al-Bazzaz, is a well-known sunni political opponent from Mosul. Al-Bazzaz is also the Editor in Chief of the Azz ...

, Iraq's review session at the Universal Periodic Review in 2020, One Young World Summit,

Huffington Post ''HuffPost'' (''The Huffington Post'' until 2017, itself often abbreviated as ''HPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and covers ...

, Build series, and BBC News. In April 2021, Ashour protested the detention and torture of LGBT people in Iraq, which was carried out by the

Asayish Asayish (also spelled Asayiş), the Kurdish term for "security", or Asayesh may refer to: *Asayish (Kurdistan Region), the official security organisation of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq *Asayish (North and East Syria) The Intern ...

organization.

Direct services

IraQueer offers a number of direct services, including temporary safe-housing, supporting asylum seekers with counselling, and by connecting them to support groups.

References

{{reflist LGBTQ in Iraq LGBTQ organizations based in Asia 2015 establishments in Iraq Organizations established in 2015