Gay Iranians ‘can be free’
Couple facing persecution, even death, welcomed to Halifax- NOVA SCOTIA CANADA
Couple facing persecution, even death, welcomed to Halifax- NOVA SCOTIA CANADA
MIKE LIGHTSTONE STAFF REPORTER
mlightstone@herald.ca @CH_Lightstone
A gay couple from Iran received a warm welcome on a chilly day after stepping off a plane in Halifax Wednesday to start a new life together in Nova Scotia.
Several adults and children greeted Navid and Hadi at the quiet arrivals area in the airport.
The welcome-to-Canada group included members of the Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia, a local organization spons oring the men . Navid and Hadi (surnames withheld) are in their 20s and fled Iran because they said their lives were in danger. They’ve been living in Turkey for more than a year.
Mixed emotions were apparent on their faces during their arrival, which attracted photojournalists and reporters dispatched to the airport. Relief, excitement, anxiety, happiness, timidity — all s eemed evident during an event that was probably a blur of sights and sounds for both men.
“Homosexuality in Iran is illegal and punishable by execution," Navid told The Chronicle Herald, in a hushed tone. The man’s demeanour suggested perhaps he’s still not sure he can speak freely in a place that allows same-sex marriage after a court ruling in 2 004 said banning it was unconstitutional.
“We had so much stress there," Navid said. “So, we can be free here."
The commercial flight that brought the men to Halifax landed Wednesday afternoon. It came from Toronto where they sp ent a night after arriving on a plane from Frankfurt.
Navid said he’s never been to Canada before, and laughed when a reporter said: “So you know it’s cold here."
The duo will have a support system in Halifax, and, thanks to the refugee association, a furnished apartment. It includes donated household items, clothing and fo o d.
Kyle DeYoung, an association board member, said Navid and Hadi are the first people his group has helped get to Halifax. He acknowledged that, in general, immigrants may prefer larger centres such as Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver.
“But specifically with refugees, there are so many people trying to come to Canada who just need a safe place to live . . . that most refugees are happy to be sponsored and go anywhere."
In Halifax, Navid and Hadi will be looking to further their education, DeYoung said. “Halifax is a good fit, in that sense, because there are so many post-secondary options."
The two men made it here safely but a piece of luggage was left behind and the couple’s first task in Canada’s Ocean Playground was to file a lost-baggage claim at the Halifax airport.
Navid and Hadi (last names withheld) have a laugh with members of the Rainbow Refugee Association as they leave the Halifax airport on Wednesday. The gay couple from Iran are the first two refugees to be sponsored by the association. RYAN TAPLIN • Staff
----------
TORTURE ... IRANIAN STYLE-SHARIA LAW- THROUGH THE EYES OF NEDAS.... AND HER BROTHERS
Iranian Eyes - through the eyes of Nedas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=959YB3pZeO4
Iranian Eyes - through the eyes of Nedas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=959YB3pZeO4
CANADA'S SHAMEFUL GLOBE AND MAIL FOLKS!
from Canada's Globe and Mail- how often can the Globe and Mail continue 2 get the real world wrong????
As Iran opens to the world Canada is left behind
The Globe and Mail - Monday 25th November, 2013
As Iran opens to the world, Canada is left behind The Globe and Mail Monday 25th November, 2013 The earth moved Sunday in Geneva when the United States, its P5 plus 1 negotiating partners and Iran came to an interim agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Only time will tell whether it is the start of a longer affair or just a one-night stand that both sides will later regret. If the romance blooms, Canada should reassess its own dysfunctional relationship with Iran before we are left behind by our partners. - See more at: http://www.canadanews.net/index.php/sid/218637279/scat/71df8d33cd2a30df#sthash.SSw7ik4u.dpuf
As Iran opens to the world Canada is left behind
The Globe and Mail - Monday 25th November, 2013
As Iran opens to the world, Canada is left behind The Globe and Mail Monday 25th November, 2013 The earth moved Sunday in Geneva when the United States, its P5 plus 1 negotiating partners and Iran came to an interim agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Only time will tell whether it is the start of a longer affair or just a one-night stand that both sides will later regret. If the romance blooms, Canada should reassess its own dysfunctional relationship with Iran before we are left behind by our partners. - See more at: http://www.canadanews.net/index.php/sid/218637279/scat/71df8d33cd2a30df#sthash.SSw7ik4u.dpuf
---------
FROM CANADA WITH LOVE- WE WALK THE TALK
PEACE OF CHRIST NEDA AND HER BROTHERS....... JUNE 2009- FREEDOM.... IT ALL STARTED IN IRAN.... FOR NEDA- ALL RELIGIONS...RACE...CREED....COLOUR ETC.... ALL CAME AS ONE....
CANADA- STANDING UP FOR GLOBAL NEDAS... AND HER BROTHERS...... JUNE- 2009- WE REMEMBER NEDA
CANADA'S BLURRED VISION: (Hey Ayatollah, Leave Those Kids Alone!)
Another Brick In The Wall - with consent of Pink Floyd....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIP38eq-ywc
http://www.facebook.com/blurredvisionmusic
Download the single on Itunes, proceeds donated to Amnesty International.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/another-brick-in-the-wall/id413761516
Directed by Babak Payami
http://www.payamfilms.com
Visit the Official Blurred Vision Website for all the latest news on the band.
http://www.blurredvisionmusic.com
----------------------------
The world is watching Iran..... and all the world's Nedas..... We Remember.... and we love ya darlins.....
YouTube especially.... and Twitter-Facebook-Myspace spell freedom... for the youngbloods of the world in places like Iran..... and those voices.... allow 4 billion Christians to participate..... Our Nedas need us each and every day... and we must step up for them.... always.
YouTube is the very voice for freedom.... and Neda showed us - so many of us... how powerful youtube is.... and the exchange of power - our youngbloods deserve freedom all around this world.... FIX THIS PLEASE..... FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE...
12/12 Arts United 4 Iran: Celebrating the Civil & Human Rights Movement in Iran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx6npR51_E8
---------
Arts United 4 Iran - We have not forgotten (beautiful voice of Nooshin) (NOW WANTED BY MILITARY)
CANADA- STANDING UP FOR GLOBAL NEDAS... AND HER BROTHERS...... JUNE- 2009- WE REMEMBER NEDA
CANADA'S BLURRED VISION: (Hey Ayatollah, Leave Those Kids Alone!)
Another Brick In The Wall - with consent of Pink Floyd....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIP38eq-ywc
http://www.facebook.com/blurredvisionmusic
Download the single on Itunes, proceeds donated to Amnesty International.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/another-brick-in-the-wall/id413761516
Directed by Babak Payami
http://www.payamfilms.com
Visit the Official Blurred Vision Website for all the latest news on the band.
http://www.blurredvisionmusic.com
----------------------------
The world is watching Iran..... and all the world's Nedas..... We Remember.... and we love ya darlins.....
YouTube especially.... and Twitter-Facebook-Myspace spell freedom... for the youngbloods of the world in places like Iran..... and those voices.... allow 4 billion Christians to participate..... Our Nedas need us each and every day... and we must step up for them.... always.
YouTube is the very voice for freedom.... and Neda showed us - so many of us... how powerful youtube is.... and the exchange of power - our youngbloods deserve freedom all around this world.... FIX THIS PLEASE..... FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE...
12/12 Arts United 4 Iran: Celebrating the Civil & Human Rights Movement in Iran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx6npR51_E8
---------
Arts United 4 Iran - We have not forgotten (beautiful voice of Nooshin) (NOW WANTED BY MILITARY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmmbxfXNKE8
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.