Article from Raw Story: "Iranian pop queen Googoosh promotes gay rights in new music video

[Skidmore]

I have been a fan of Googoosh for nearly 40 years now. SHe is a tremendous performer and has risked so much over the years to stand for what is right and good. Google her name and learn more about her.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/18/iranian-pop-queen-googoosh-promotes-gay-rights-in-new-music-video/

Iranian pop queen Googoosh promotes gay rights in new music video
By Saeed Kamali Dehghan, The Guardian
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 13:53 EST
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Googoosh via Wikimedia Commons

Iran’s queen of pop, Googoosh, has released a video in support of her country’s gay and lesbian community, becoming the first prominent Iranian with such a huge following to speak out against homophobia.

The video for her latest song Behesht (Heaven), released on her Facebook page on Valentine’s Day last week, portrays a lesbian couple who are in a relationship banned both by society and by their families.

Navid Akhavan, who wrote and directed the video, said it had been viewed by thousands of Iranians online or via illegal satellite channels.

“The reactions we have seen so far have been tremendous,” he told the Guardian. “The comments I have read online and the messages I have received from people within the Iranian LGBT community have brought tears to my eyes.”

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The following link will find you the translation of the lyrics for this song.

http://lyricstranslate.com/en/behesht%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AA-eden-heaven.html

[Skidmore]

1. I rarely kick my own threads but

this artist has taken a step forward for the Iranian LGBT community. This is just as huge a risk, perhaps riskier, than any taken by the much applauded American artists. Kudos to those acting out the story in the video. I'll kick it for a couple of more days for exposure.

[theboss]

2. I've never heard of her (shocking!) - does she live in Iran?

Is there any chance she ends up in jail (or worse) for this?

[Skidmore]

3. Currently she lives outside of Iran but you

need to understand her stature in Iranian music. Up until the revolution, and even today, she is truly on the kaliber of Tina Turner or Celine Dion or any other of our great female performing artists in music. She was banned in Iran but has remained popular. Googoosh became an iconic image of the modern Iranian woman before the Islamic Revolution, which is why she was silenced. She stayed in Iran afterward and did not perform for a period of time before she came abroad. She has been politically active and publicly spoke out for the young political prisoners held by Ahmedinejad's government. This woman has had an incredible life and began performing when she was a small girl.

You must realize that the risk she bears is the same as that of any Muslim who stands against theocratic dictates. I admire her tremendously for her strength and perseverance.

[eissa]

4. WHOA! Love her

She sang at my aunt and uncle's wedding in Tehran This is such a brave action on her part. I admit I was quite surprised; rare to see any support for the gay community in that region, but particularly from people in her generation.

[Skidmore]

5. She's such a wonderful performer.

I remember watching her on television there. My favorite song is still "Man Amade Am."