Gayrabia - Gay and Arab in the Age of Tolerance @ Oz Indie Film Festival 7th March 2020

Gayrabia comes to challenge this political fabrication and give voice to the unrepresented LGBTQ+ minority in the Arabic region in particular, and in the wider Islamic Middle East in general. The short film aims to raise awareness and correct stereotypes associated with Islam as a homophobic religion. It also attempts to remind LGBTQ+ people around the world that the riots which took place in Stonewall bar in New York City 50 years ago, haven’t yet achieved its full potential. In September 2007, during his visit to Columbia University in New York City, Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was invited to participate in a debate to address the United Nations General Assembly. It was then when he famously stated "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals. In Iran, we don't have this phenomenon. I don't know who has told you we have it". Although the statement was met with sarcastic laughter from the audiences, it goes deeper than being only a bigoted assumption. It solely implies the nonexistence of a group of people and if you don’t exist, you cannot claim any rights. Book your tickets https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/oz-indie-film-festival-gala-opening-night-tickets-93200147149