Gay Iraqis face persecution

Across the capital city a new gang calling itself the "righteous people" has begun attacking young men who it says are violating Islamic law by "behaving like women". For religious hardliners, "imitating women" by wearing long hair, women’s clothing, earrings and even make-up is a "great sin" punishable by death.

While gay people in Iraq today enjoy far greater freedom than under the previous regime, persecution is rife and intensifying. According to the Iraqi Gay and Lesbians Society, a society which has a website but no firm contact details, 26 of its members have been killed since 2003 including two minors, 11 year-old Amir and 14 year-old Ahmed.