Comments on: Gay asylum group attacks "shameful" Iran comments

By: Robert, ex-pat Brit

Robert, ex-pat Brit — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:29:11 +0000

If this were a case of heterosexual christians fleeing Iran because of religious persecution, Jacqui Smith would be singing quite a different tune. The C of E would get on board and Smith and the government would back down. Unless an Iranian christian were wearing a cross around the neck, how would Smith instruct a straight christian Iranian to act discreetly? Not be seen going to church any more? Is that the kind of life Smith and her government are condoning, living in fear of one's life? This woman is incompetent and unfit for such a job. Mehdi's case should have been an eye opener for her and even then she was compelled to grant asylum because of the efforts of many of us who petitioned on his behalf along with a handful of politicians and gay organisations. Smith clearly doesn't have a clue about human rights violations and as such, is unfit for the job she is arguably not doing.

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By: Bill Perdue, RainbowRED

Bill Perdue, RainbowRED — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:07:33 +0000

These comments are indeed disgraceful, and worse they ignore the reality of mass murder in both Iran and Iraq.

As the cases of Medhi Kazemi and Pegah Emambakhsh demonstrate, you cannot be discreet and expect to live if you're gay or lesbian in Iran. Pretending that's true is as cruel and as fatal as saying that if only they’d been a bit more discreet, the Jews wouldn’t have died in Nazi occupied Europe.

Smith is adopting the same program as the blatantly racist Tories. This, coupled with their decision to stay in Iraq and support Bush's genocidal war on muslims puts their election prospects in doubt. If people can’t see any difference they’ll begin searching for a left alternative.

Apparently some in Labour now agree with Conservatives that "that the 'wogs' begin at Calais." (That was a turn of phrase used by George Wigg, a Labour Party MP, to ridicule Tory insularity and racism.

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By: adam pogonowski

adam pogonowski — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:37:41 +0000

Surely Smith can not be serious? What's a discreet gay, and what's a non-discreet gay? Why should she making this distinction in the first place? What a terrible Govt minister she is proving to be. Outrageous and disgraceful comments.

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By: adam pogonowski

adam pogonowski — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:34:53 +0000

Is Smith kidding? Discreet gays? why should we differentiate between a "discreet" gay and a non-discreet one? Can we see any difference between them? If you're gay you're gay. How is this woman working in government? She's useless. And clearly doesn't give a shit for people who are gay/lesbian that face persecution.

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