Arsham Parsi

Arsham Parsi is the founder of the Iranian Queer Railroad (IRQR), an organization that supports Iranians who have fled their country due to Iran’s harsh punishments against gays and lesbians. IRQR provides support ranging from safe houses and funds to education about rights. The organization operates out of Canada, where Arsham settled after escaping Iran out of fear for his own safety.

I chose to write about Arsham because of the impressive way he has taken a stand in his community, despite the backlash that caused him to flee his country of birth. Besides the retaliation he faced from Iran’s government, Arsham has also confronted hostility from some in the Iranian queer community itself.

He explains that many Iranians don’t understand the concept of volunteer work or activism in the way North Americans do.  Many don’t believe that he would strive so hard out of sheer passion. So he’s often accused of trying to benefit himself.

After nine years of activism, Arsham still receives regular threats against his safety and reputation. However, he points out that while dealing with backlash is a constant part of his work, the negative messages “are nothing” compared to the supportive messages that he receives.

Arsham says that while negative attacks are personal, he tries to take them in stride: “It’s not all about me anymore; it’s about all of those who are looking forward to my activities in order to have a little bit more freedom. I can tolerate it when some people say something harmful against me. Because it is not just my rights, it is everybody’s rights.”

While IRQR operates without any paid staff, it boasts an impressive success rate. More than 70% of IRQR’s clients have gained refugee status or are in the middle of the resettlement process. IRQR is quite successful in assisting refugees with financial support from private donations.

IRQR recently gained official nonprofit status in Canada and is working to expand  its visibility and impact.  For example, the organization would like to boost its use of volunteers in the next
year to help with writing reports. And the more fundraisers that supporters can organized, the better!

If you’re interested in helping IRQR, email them here.

The idea of an “underground railroad” for queer Iranians is a brilliant update to the underground railroad used by American slaves in the 19th century. This analogy is just another way of understanding that human rights truly are universal. The strategies for securing those rights can cross borders, and centuries, too.

I asked Arsham what he would say to other young activists who, living in an era of instant gratification, are easily discouraged by the lack of immediate results.  He replies eloquently: “Defeat, defeat, defame, but finally success — if we learn from our mistakes.”