Sexual Orientation and Torture A Global Struggle for Justice

A bold, courageous, and urgently needed work on one of the most overlooked human rights crises of our time. Across the world, LGBTQI+ individuals face horrific persecution— torture, forced medical treatment, sexual violence, and exile— simply because of their identity. Numerous international organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, have documented these abuses, yet a conspiracy of silence persists. Amnesty International states: “ Tortured, ill-treated, sexually assaulted, forcibly subjected to medical and psychiatric treatment, forced to flee their home countries in terror— the world over, LGBTQI+ people are at particular risk of human rights violations because of their sexual identity...” This groundbreaking book brings together decades of frontline experience, deeply researched historical analysis, and the lived realities of survivors. From ancient persecution to modern-day discrimination, Sexual Orientation and Torture exposes the brutal consequences of homophobia and the urgent need for change.

ARGHAVAN SHAMSARA is a journalist, activist, and transgender rights advocate who has worked extensively on LGBTQI+ issues in the Middle East and beyond. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of gender identity under repressive regimes, she uses her platform to amplify queer voices, challenge discrimination, and push for global human rights reforms. EZAT MOSSALLANEJAD is a human rights advocate, researcher, and longtime policy analyst at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT). A survivor of political imprisonment in Iran, he has dedicated his career to supporting refugees, documenting human rights abuses, and advocating for marginalized communities. His work focuses on the intersection of trauma, persecution, and international law.

able of Contents Acknowledgement ix Introduction xi Chapter 1: My Journey from Manhood to Womanhood by Arghavan Shamsara 1 Chapter 2: My Journey from Hostility to Friendship 29 Chapter 3: Religions and Ideologies 48 Judaism 49 Christianity 51 Islam 55 Hinduism 60 Buddhism 63 Other Religions 66 Marxism 68 Anarchism 71 Roots of Religious Phobia 74 Chapter 4: Historical Practice 82 Ancient Times 82 Medieval Era 88 Renaissance Onwards 96 vi Chapter 5: Historical Persecution 109 Ancient and Medieval Times 109 Renaissance, Enlightenment and 19th Century 111 Nazi Persecution 118 The Apartheid Regime of South Africa 121 Oscar Wilde & Turing 123 The Islamic World 124 Castration: Judo-Christian and Islamic Traditions 126 Chapter 6: Homophobia Today 137 A Divided World 137 Iran 139 Afghanistan 141 Mauritania & Oman 142 Iraq 142 Egypt 143 Indonesia & Malaysia 144 Russia 145 Ukraine 146 Poland 147 United States of America 148 China and India 149 Others 149 Impacts of Covid-19 150 Hijras and Khusras 150 Chapter 7: The CCVT and LGBTQI+ Clients 161 Countries and Cases 162 In Search of a New Definition 170 After-effects of Torture 172 The Need for Holistic Support 177 Success Stories 179 Chapter 8: International Law 182 Chapter 9: Towards Emancipation 196 18th Century 196 19th and 20th Century 197 Recent Achievements 220 Conclusion 229