Iran bans ‘homosexual’ and ‘devil-worshipping’ hairstyles
Hairstyles that are deemed to be “homosexual” have been banned in Iran.
The repressive country – where homosexuality is strictly forbidden under penalty of death – made the deceleration this week.
Mostafa Govahi, the head of Iran’s barbers’ union, said that barbers had been handed a list of “appropriate” hairstyles – banning spiky hair and overly-styled cuts.
Tom Daley’s hair is likely now not welcome in Iran
He said: “Haircuts that show symbols or signs of devil worshippers or those adopted by homosexuals are banned.
“I won’t allow such wrongful western styles as long as I’m in this position.
“Any shop that cuts hair in the devil worshipping style will be harshly dealt with and their licence revoked. Tattoos, solarium treatments and plucking eyebrows [for men] are also forbidden.”
Devil-worshipping hair must look something like this
He continued: “Usually the barber shops who do this do not have a licence. They have been identified and will be dealt with.”
It is not clear what exactly constitutes a gay haircut in Iran.
However, the Guardian notes that the country previously outlawed “ponytails, mullets and long, gelled hair for men” – while allowing for “1980s-style floppy fringes or quiffs”.
The Iranian penal code lists sodomy as a crime for which both partners can be punished by death.
Because trials on moral charges in Iran are usually held in closed sessions, it is impossible to know how many people have been executed for same-sex conduct.
The regime claims that all those executed for homosexuality were guilty of child abuse or rape, but rights groups view this as an obfuscation tactic.
