Summoning of the Australian Ambassador in Tehran Following 'Wear Purple' Message; Embassy: We Want Everyone to Be Proud of Who They Are

The Islamic Republic summoned the Australian ambassador in Tehran following the publication of a message supporting the freedom of choice for sexual and gender minorities on the Australian embassy's social media account. This message, titled 'Wear Purple,' was posted on the official Instagram account of the Australian embassy and expressed the country's commitment to creating 'a supportive environment where everyone, especially young sexual and gender minorities, can feel proud of their identity.' According to ILNA, Ian McConville, the Australian ambassador, stated that this message is not an insult to the people of Iran and their values, and it does not reference the Islamic Republic. The post remains visible on the Australian embassy's Instagram account. Human rights groups accuse the Islamic Republic officials of restricting freedoms in Iran, including civil, social, sexual, and gender freedoms. Under the laws of the Islamic Republic, relationships involving sexual and gender minorities are illegal and can lead to the death penalty. The Islamic Republic accuses its critics of misunderstanding Islamic legal principles. Meanwhile, sexual and gender minorities in the Islamic Republic face numerous discriminations and obstacles. Arbitrary arrests and heavy sentences such as imprisonment, flogging, and even execution for members of this community have been imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past 40 years, alongside other human rights violations by the Islamic government in Iran, creating a repressive environment for sexual and gender minorities. Source: Reuters