Issue 2. 2012.
Iranian Gays on DEATH ROW By Anisa Varasteh
IN 2009 IN CENTRAL LONDON “A TEENAGE GIRL WAS SO OUTRAGED BY TWO GAY MEN HOLDING HANDS THAT SHE STAMPED ONE OF THEM TO DEATH” (The West Australia 2011). In a world where homosexuality is rarely tolerated by a citizen of the developed world, being gay in a developing country like Iran is living hell. Homosexual acts are prohibited by law in Iran and punishable by death, therefore gay men and women are forced to live a secret life. In 2005 two teenage boys were executed
is not purely a personal choice, or as
for homosexual acts and prior to their
it is being perceived by many religious
execution the two were given 228 lashes
cultures a “sexual deviation” or a sin.
each (BBC news 2005).
In a country where the President denies
Reading this sounds disturbing enough
the existence of any homosexuals it is
let alone living through such terror every
hard to estimate the population of gay
day of your life. Whether being gay is
people. Interestingly, Iran has the second
a cause of nature (genes) or nurture
highest rate of sex change surgery in the
(environment), or both is debatable but
world (after Thailand) (BBC News 2008).
here in the Western world we have come
At first glance this appears paradoxical
to respect the fact that homosexuality
to the limitation and pressures on gay
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people. However, examining the subject
This however is not the life of every
in context reveals that it is the only
gay person in Iran. Despite all the
“solution” to the problems gay men and
restrictions many manage to date and
women face in Iran.
maintain a relationship in secret. Since
The first reason is that even though
many aspects of social life which are
homosexuals are considered people with
considered conventional in the West are
sick sexual tastes, transgendered people
prohibited in Iran it is difficult for people
are viewed as abnormal people who
to find dates outside of their usual social
can be treated. Therefore, so many gay
network. Music (dance music), dance,
people are labelled as transgendered
alcoholic drinks and friendship with the
so that they could be “fixed”.
opposite sex are illegal and in some
Furthermore, many of those who go
cases could be punishable by lashes.
through the excruciating procedure
Therefore, social places such as bars,
of sex reassignment therapy are from
pubs, clubs etc do not exist in the world
“Islam has a cure for people suffering from this problem. If they want to change their gender the path is open.” Hojatolah Kariminia, Iranian Cleric low income, traditional families who
of Iranians. Young people usually meet
constantly are condemned, humiliated,
others through their family and friends
or threatened by the people around
or occasionally work places which limits
them (even their own families). Hence,
the number of possible candidates for a
sex change seems like an optimal
relationship.
solution to their constant pain of humiliation, guilt and disgrace. However, in many cases they are disowned by their
B
efore 1990 (in Tehran) gay people’s only social place to meet other gays
was in a park which was crammed with
families after the surgery because they
male prostitutes and many heterosexual
cannot deal with the shame that their
men who were seeking casual sex with
son/brother has turned into a woman.
young guys (as females were not always
Some of these unfortunate victims of
accessible and easy to find). In the 90s
such brutal ignorance are forced into the
more and more people started to have
world of prostitution.
access to the internet and it was a
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A man is beaten by state para-military forces during Iranian anti-government protests [anonymous source]
turning point for homosexuals. Online
All the restrictions and limitations
chatting and the ability to contact
however have not taken away the love
people who otherwise would be a life
and passion of young people (regardless
time away brought a new vibe and thrill
of their sexual orientation) to party and
to every young person’s life including
socialise with their like minded peers.
gays and lesbians. However, this change
They are willing to take the risk of
was not without its disadvantages.
getting lashes or going to jail to spend
Disguised police officers and/or militias,
some time away from their limiting and
Anti-gays and many psychopaths had also
sick society in the haven of their homes.
easy access to identifying, and abusing
There are also many underground artists
gay men and women.
and activists in Iran who work hard for
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their voices to be heard by other Iranians
of such extremist views forced upon
and people around the world. Sayeh
them is devastating FOR ALL IRANIAN
Sky is a lesbian rapper who produces
PEOPLE.
songs and is known for her feminist and challenging views. Many web bloggers also act in secret and educate people about the issues homosexuals face in Iran but unfortunately many have been identified by the government and face persecution.
Anisa is a psychological science graduate from the University of South Australia. Cover photo by Pedram Veisi
This consistent pressure has lead many gay people to flee Iran and seek asylum in other countries such as Turkey. However, since proving one’s sexual orientation is difficult (if not impossible) they usually face long waits and undesirable conditions while waiting for a refugee visa to resettle in a third country. In 2008 the organization IRQO (Iranian Queer Organization) was formed by Arsham Parsi, a gay activist, in Toronto Canada. IRQR provides assistance with asylum applications, provides housing and financial assistance to those in desperate need, and petitions Western and other governments on behalf of Iranian LGBTs facing deportation back to Iran (IRQO. net 2012). It is also worthwhile to note that before the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iranians used to experience freedom of speech and life-style (similar to the ones practiced in the Western countries today) therefore the psychosocial effects
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Actually, your place is in the kitchen A modern guide to feminism by Keelie Ferguson
LET ME START BY SAYING I MAY LOSE A FRIEND OR TWO IN WRITING THIS… dear friends, I hope we can respectfully agree to disagree if I cause you any offense. You see, someone I used to go to school with has recently discovered feminism and left-wing politics. Not literally discovered, I don’t think, but has become involved in actively promoting communism (no, not socialism. Yes, I do know the difference) and feminism in the recent months that have passed us by. Day after day, she tweets and makes facebook posts about both movements she’s involved with. She goes to the protests, reads the literature and attends meetings with other communists/feminists.
Now, while I’m definitely into discussing
who wrote for a defense magazine (not a
politics (for hours… and hours and hours)
typo, that’s what it’s called). The thing
and I’m into feminism in a really big way,
about these scenes that immediately
I have a real problem with her lifestyle. I
repelled me was the nature of the
also have a big problem with the lifestyle
people involved when they got home.
of a few people at work who have
I’ve visited cleaner dumpsters. Their
similarly off-beat political views. It’s not
homes, a gaggle of literature half-
their beliefs, but just the simple fact
strewn across every surface, clothes
that they are completely unable to take
and dirty plates, half drunk coffee cups,
care of themselves. This goes beyond
burnt down candles… the fridge would
the usual adolescent dilly-dallying with
almost definitely be devoid of anything
alcohol, tobacco
edible. They ate out
and recreational
whenever possible
drugs (of which I am
(or ordered in…?),
also guilty at some stage or another in my life) that people either grow out of or become rehabilitated for, a rite of passage in
My new idea of ‘feminism’ is to fuck feminism right off, along with the archaic idea that women are of lesser worth than men.
hardly washed (then again, I was too scared to shower in their place either) and only cleaned up the things they would be
privileged white,
using immediately
middle-class society.
afterward, like
I mean literally unable to feed, wash
dishes or pots they were about to use.
and nurture themselves. This no longer
Their culinary skills involved a mastery
applies to my aforementioned friend,
of mi goreng and toast, maybe the
before the angry phone calls pour in.
occasional cup of tea.
You see, I’ve been actively involved
Growing up with a completely anal
with similar groups of political or
mother, I am the last person to judge
humanitarian ideals. Let’s face facts,
someone’s home if it’s a bit messy, but
I’m a vegetarian feminist with a slight
this was actually ridiculous. I was scared
touch Marxist ideology. I’ve been there,
of contracting some horrible disease by
done that and written the f***ing book
simply breathing in the air. The problem
several years ago. To my right wing dad
is, if I addressed it (which would be
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incredibly rude), I would have been
AND women. Most single guys who move
faced with a barrage of “Keelie, it’s
out of home will admit that they have
not a woman’s job to cook and clean all
no bloody clue on how to cook, hate
day! The fifties is over!”. Umm… ok, but
cleaning up and just buy new clothes or
if you won’t cook and clean, who will?
get their mum to help if their clothes get
The problem with protesting this old
a hole or loose stitching.
stereotype is that it encourages the kind of slobbery that requires a few shots of
This is such a stupid thing to even get
penicillin. It’s completely revolting to
so riled up about, I realise that, but it’s
live in your own filth and eat instant food
still the cause of nearly every domestic
all day just to make a political point.
argument (cleaning AND cooking)
And, no, the socialists I hung out with
because nobody understands what the
were no better or worse.
boundaries are and one side thinks that the best thing to do is make a tug of war
My new idea of ‘feminism’ is to f*ck
until someone snaps, disgusted by the
feminism right off, along with the
mountains of dishes and laundry, and
archaic idea that women are of lesser
cleans up.
worth than men. Equal rights means equal responsibility. Yes, you do belong in the kitchen. Yes, you do need to spend a solid day cleaning once in a while. Yes, you should know how to sew… but so should men. The problem is that most men are not taught these life skills as boys and that most women feel resentful that they seem to be automatically resigned to doing any form of cooking, cleaning or mending of clothing. There is a catch, though; you should also be able to change a washer (in a tap), fix a door, assemble (or build) basic furniture and do basic repairs to your car/bicycle if you use one. Both genders. This isn’t feminism, this is basic adult responsibility. It applies to men
H
ere are my new rules, and they apply to you if you’re over 15
and aim to be an independent, selfsufficient human being one day: Learn how to cook. Anything from a packet or with “two-minute” or “threeminute” in the title does not count. Neither does toast or cereal. Not only do you need REAL food to survive, but it will save your wallet and impress your friends/family/significant other/ when there’s some amazing food in your kitchen. Bring leftovers to uni/school/ work/etc. It saves thousands over a year. Clean up your living space/working space. Not obsessively and not
8
necessarily everyday, but enough that
clean up while they do something else.
you don’t feel a sense of dread when
Learn how to sew and do laundry
you need to lift up a pile of something
properly. While being able to make basic
that there may be mice/rats/mould/
clothing is ideal, I also understand it’s
cockroaches/maggots underneath. If you
not actually a necessity. Male or female,
live alone, sorry, but you need to clean
you need to know how to patch up a
up everything. Don’t ask your parents,
hole in a pair of jeans, get a stain out of
siblings or friends… they won’t come
your favourite shirt, hem pants, skirts
back and I wouldn’t blame them. If you
and jackets and sew a button. You’ll
German philosopher and social theorist Karl Heinrich Marx - photo by Mark Surman live with a roommate/partner then clean
understand how important this is when
your personal spaces, drawers, allotted
you rip your favourite article of clothing
kitchen space and clean up shared
and don’t want to replace it with
spaces once in a while. Convincing a
something new…. Or anytime you stain
roommate that they should clean up may
a work shirt with curry, wine or pasta
be tough, but they’ll probably feel like
sauce.
you’re judging them after seeing you
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For god’s sake, go online and look up
To me, the suffragettes and every
how to do basic repairs to your home.
women’s right protester since then has
Even if you live with your parents, you
been trying to accomplish the ideal
don’t exactly want them coming into
that men and women could be equal
the bathroom when you’ve clogged a
and do the same things. We kind of
pipe, taken a tap off the wall or taken
have that society in the Australia now.
the sliding door off the shower for the
Not completely, but for the most part
millionth time. Learn how to use power
even a girl who “hates feminists” would
tools, where the switchboard is, the
be outraged by the idea that a woman
main water tap, gas tap, etc and how to
would be paid less an hour than a man
turn them on and off. Learn how to do
on the same job, would receive a lesser
basic repairs to doors and windows and
education, would receive unwelcome
at the very least, sit down and figure out
sexual attention from a boss at work,
how to assemble the ikea furniture that
etc. Our generation has grown up
you still haven’t put together because
with this, we don’t know any better.
the instructions are so damn vague it
We assume that feminists are gender
makes you want to cry. Admittedly, I’m
supremacists. They’re not, on the whole,
the handy person in my household and
but I think that a lot of people who are
my boyfriend’s vision is so bad (probably
trying to make a political point often
why he’s with me) that I simply don’t
end up cutting of their nose to spite
trust him to use anything sharp, heavy or
their face. The only thing we should
motorised around the house. I built some
aspire to be is independent… financially
of our furniture, assembled some of it,
and otherwise. It sends a stronger
erected shelves, fixed the taps, change
message when someone who’s relatively
the lightbulbs and am the only person
‘together’ gets up to say something
heading to the switchboard when we
about the state of the world we live in…
blow a fuse. As I like the control, I never
and at least they won’t be eaten alive by
complain about this… especially as he
rats when they’re sleeping.
does a good 70% of the cleaning.
Keelie Ferguson is situated in Melbourne, and likes to keep a tidy place. Cover photo by Alex Stretton, article photo by Mark Surman.
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Jacob and Jed Wolki took their bikes to ride across the US, these photos are just a taste of what they saw
THUG FOR LIFE OR JUST YOUR NANA?
Knitting needles & spray cans Thoughts from a girl with an eye for art that resides outside of institutional walls by Gaby Poly Cotton Memories of my grandparents conjure
pastimes such a street art and graffiti
up the images of the paint chipped
however does appear that some of
rocking horse on the porch or the sweet
the blue rinse brigade are letting go
smell of apple strudel which was baked
of tradition for tradition’s sake and
to perfection. The metallic smell of
are embracing life creatively from
ironlak does not ordinarily bring to mind
nontraditional perspectives. The desire
gerontology and some may even wonder
to express one’s creative edge is not lost
how the two fit together, both socially
over time or of course with age.
and culturally.
Typically, older individuals (like your
The preventative measures of systematic
Nana) have knitted themselves into
ageism, social norms and sanctions have
woolgasms by making scarves and
often excluded older individuals from
cardigans, however there is a new breed
participating in youth or subculture
of Nana warming her feet by the fire.
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No longer content with maintaining
ups or paint, intimidating. Adelaide’s
the social norm of attending bowls on
streets and statues are randomly graced
a Tuesday, she wants to get her hands
with the delicate touch of gorilla knitters
dirty and hit the street. Luckily for Nana
who are often overlooked by security
there are outlets for her creative juices,
guards or business owners. The threat
even if her weapon of choice remains the
of prosecution for ‘property damage’
knitting needle.
is also significantly reduced, if not
Yarn bombing, gorilla knitting or knit
eliminated, if one chooses to yarn bomb.
graffiti has grown in popularity since
I do not know of anyone who has been
it’s urban introduction in the U.S. in
successfully prosecuted for vandalizing a
2005. This progressive phenomena has
tree with lace doily’s, wrapping a woolen
continued to wind it’s woolly way around
piece around a light pole or ‘enhancing’
the globe while being embraced by both
a public sculpture with pom poms.
the young and young at heart. London’s
Various city councils around Australia
graffiti knitting art collective Knit
have recognised the shared nature of
the City (http://knitthecity.com) has
the public domain and are trying to
some fine examples of non threatening
balance the delicate task of stakeholder
semi permanent graffiti that utilizes a
management in the urban environment
traditional medium in a new counter
in a cross generational manner. Some
culture format. The semi permanent
older people may find art on the street
nature of yarn bombing enables it to be
(graffiti – tags, throw ups & larger
embraced by those who may find other
pieces) offensive and even intimidating
forms of art on the street, such as paste
whilst younger generations may find
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this freedom of expression exhilarating.
how to knit, if the main objective is
Progressive councils are embracing the
greater understanding and tolerance for
inevitable - illicit art on the street is
both generations? Let’s be honest, there
something that cannot be contained
are some grandparents around who hit
and will not recede quietly. It can
the streets with paint when they were
however be harnessed and used as a
younger and are now encouraging their
tool to unify generations and cultures
grandchildren to do the same. I would
which have, by appearance, nothing in
not necessarily encourage this however
common. Council funded workshops
it is clear that age does not impact on
which encourage older individuals to
one’s desire to create. For some older
paint and socialize with those who may
urban creative’s, age will not weary
have once intimidated them will assist in
them and the twinkle in their eye is their
breaking down both social and cultural
imagination plotting a new adventure….
stereo types. Is there a difference
the medium that they choose should not
between a teen teaching his elderly
be defined by social or cultural bounds
neighbour how to paint with a spray can
but by what their imagination (and
or a nana teaching her granddaughter
walking stick) allows.
Gaby Poly Cotton is a graduate from the University of South Australia and street art lover. Photo below by Chris Tamm
Environmental ‘Disasters’ and Cognitive D i s s o n a n ce Cognitive Dissonance as defined by the Penguin Dictionary of Psychology is ‘an emotional state set up when two simultaneously held attitudes or cognitions are inconsistent or when there is conflict between belief and overt behaviour’ (p. 128). The recent headlines regarding a train derailment in Western Australia yesterday rekindled a thought I’d had early last year about the reporting of and subsequent disgust by the public of environmental calamities caused by corporations and/or business and the actual behaviour of that same ‘disgusted’ public towards the environment. In Western Australia at the site of the train derailment the Department of Environment and Conservation was present at the scene as growing ‘fears’ mounted of an environmental effect. This only got me thinking of the recent BP oil spill in the gulf of Mexico. Perhaps one of the largest and widespread environmental calamities of our time (or is it?) which has seen significant public outrage and criminal convictions. But I argue that there is something much more significant than the public outcry at BP’s black oil flowing freely into the ocean. I argue that indeed the oil is not the primary issue here the primary issue is the psychology behind the public outrage, and the behaviour of those who are against big corporations destroying the environment.
As I previously mentioned, cognitive dissonance plays a large role in the way everyone perceives environmental disasters - and perhaps the occurance of environmental disasters serves the purpose of minimising the ‘guilt’ aspect of cognitive dissonance with regards to the environment. Let me explain… At the first level, we (the majority of the population) hold the attitude that preserving the environment is a good thing. In light of environmental disasters perpetrated by large corporations we are immediately outraged, if the BP oil spill did not outrage you then I would be concerned. Yet on the second level of cognitive dissonance, our behaviour does not align with our attitudes or beliefs. We get in our cars everyday and pollute the environment, we use electricity unnecessarily all day long, with no regard for how that impacts the environment. Yet we are disgusted by environmental disasters perpetrated by big business. Is it easier to blame them than ourselves? Is it easier to feel ashamed of a faceless corporation than to feel ashamed of our family, friends and our own behaviours? Being able to place the blame on a corporation minimises the emotional distress we feel by having opposing attitudes and behaviours. It co-opts us into a state where we no longer question ourselves, but forever question others who will never change, because we, as the consumers, will continue to consume their products regardless of their environmental impact. It is the perfect equation for a capitalist, consumer driven economy. Before I started my Honours thesis in Psychology last year I had this idea and posed it to a leading researcher of my university. I brought up the idea that cognitive dissonance plays a significant role in how we behave towards the environment. I was met with a blank stare, and then a flat out dismissal of this idea - ‘No, I don’t think there is much relation’. What do you think?
Written by Alex Stretton, photo by Duncan Davidson
Issue #2 2012 P2-5 Iranian Gays on Death Row by Anisa Varasteh P6 - 10 Actually, Your Place is in the Kitchen by Keelie Ferguson P11 - 12 Photography by Jacob Wolki P13 - 15 Thug for Life or Just Your Nanna? by Gaby Poly Cotton P16 - 18 IEnvironmental ‘Disasters’ and Cognitive Dissonance by Alex Stretton If you would like to write an article for AI Magazine, please do not hesitate to contact Alex at alexander.stretton@gmail.com
No Machines, No Stationery Bikes, Just high quality personal/group fitness training. Contact Raul for more details: raul@crossfitdownunder.com
So here we are once again, wrapping up the second issue of Autonomous Intellect. The response from the first issue was overwhelming and I thank everyone who contributed articles, artwork and their expertise towards this humble project. We received over 1500 readers online from all over the world, garnered an interview with the opposing UniSA magazine and managed to sell out of all the limited editions. Yay! I would like to thank the authors and artists who helped create this second issue. I would like to make it clear that Autonomous Intellect is 100% funded by myself, and this money is made back by selling limited art editions of the magazine. We are not funded through any advertising or affiliated with any institution. All advertising you see in the magazine is done for free to support local businesses who are doing something unique. If you would like to purchase a limited art edition or a standard edition of the magazine please contact alexander.stretton@gmail.com. All comments or submissions can be sent to this address. Keep your minds active Peace and love
Autonomous Intellect Issue #2 Edition...
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Editor... Alex Stretton Cover Art... Chantel Lee Photography... Jacob Wolki Logo... Tim Richardson Background photo on this page by Adam Lau
AI exists because of the following people: James Burgess, Helen Dockrell, Ling Na Yan, Anisa Varasteh, Emily Loren Moss Ferrel, Tim Richardson, Chris Buttignol, Kari Raos Clark, Gaby Poly Cotton, Stephen Russell, Ashley Hooper, Stas Kosmodopoulos and Zak Holman
Thank You