Normally I wouldn't post such violent, disturbing and graphic material. However, this is factual and serves as an example of the worst treatment our GLBT Brothers and Sisters suffer in other countries. If seeing this with your own eyes doesn't disgust or outrage you to speak out against such horrific treatment. Than such things will continue to happen and in this case, silence does equal death.
Iran President Says "No Gays in Iran"
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently stated, "They do not have this phenomenon of gay people in Iran." If this is true than why were the two boys  publicly humiliated, caged as they awaited execution and crowds of people heckled them. Iran joins various Arab and Muslim countries that have laws stipulating death for homosexuals. In this case a barbaric practice intentionally ineffective hanging technique was used to prolong the boys' suffering as gigantic crowds watched and cheered it all.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying, "They do not have this phenomenon of gay people in Iran.".
(After video ends mouse over photo's at bottom to view more video's)
How Iran Deals With Their Gay Citizens.
Could this be the reason he can say there are no Gays Iran?

"Related News Articles"
365Gay.Com: 30 Men Arrested On Morals Charges In Raid On Iran Home. (3/28/08)
365Gay.Com: Dozens Of Gays Reportedly Arrested In Iran. (5/14/07)
HRC: Back Story: President of Iran Says There Are No Gay People in His Country. (9/27/07)
ABC News: Ahmadinejad: No Gays, No Oppression of Women in Iran. (9/24/07)
365Gay.Com: Gays Join Protest Against Ahmadinejad Speech At Columbia. (9/24/07)
CNN: Ahmadinejad Speaks; Outrage and Controversy Follow. (9/24/07)
365Gay.Com: Report: Iran Gay Teens Executed. (7/21/05)

"The Employment Non-Discrimination Act H.R.3685"
"No Gays in Iran"
(WARING: Extremely Disturbing Material Posted.
Pride Tampa Bay Special News Reports
"The Employment Non-Discrimination Act H.R.3685 (ENDA)"
On November 7th, the House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), H.R. 3685.  In 30 states, it is currently legal to fire someone simply because of his or her sexual orientation. This bill will prohibit employers, employment agencies and labor unions from using an individual’s sexual orientation as the basis for employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, promotion or compensation. The bill extends federal employment protections to gay, lesbian, and bisexual workers similar to those already provided to a person based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. A manager’s amendment has also been made in order.  Following are highlights of the manager’s amendment and bill.

The Manager’s Amendment

Clarifies the religious exemption under ENDA to address concerns raised by certain religious schools.  The manager’s amendment makes clear that the exemption under ENDA for religious organizations is identical to the religious exemption found in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Under Title VII, religious corporations, schools, associations, and societies are exempt from religious discrimination claims.   This Title VII exemption applies to both denominational and non-denominational religious schools.  By ensuring that the ENDA religious exemption is identical to the Title VII religious exemption, the manager’s amendment clarifies that both denominational and non-denominational religious schools qualify for the ENDA exemption.    

Clarifies that ENDA does not alter the Defense of Marriage Act.  The manager’s amendment also clarifies that ENDA does not alter the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in any way.  Indeed, the amendment inserts language clarifying that the term “married” has the meaning given such term in DOMA, directly incorporating DOMA’s definition of marriage as that between a man and a woman. 

The Bill

Why ENDA is needed.  In 30 states, it is legal to fire someone simply because of his or her sexual orientation.  Numerous recent studies have found that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation continues in our country.  For example, a 2007 study found that 16 percent of lesbians and gay men reported being fired or denied a job because of sexual orientation.   

What ENDA does.  The bill prohibits employers, employment agencies and labor unions from using an individual’s sexual orientation as the basis for employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, promotion or compensation.  In other words, the bill is extending federal employment protections to gay, lesbian and bisexual workers similar to those protections already provided to a person based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.  

Where ENDA applies.  Like other civil rights laws, ENDA applies to private sector employers with 15 or more employees, employment agencies, labor organizations, and joint labor-management committees.  ENDA also applies to Congress and the federal government, as well as state and local governments.

Where ENDA does not apply.  ENDA does not apply to employers with fewer than 15 employees.  It also does not apply to members of the armed forces.  In addition, ENDA excludes private membership clubs and religious organizations, such as religious corporations, associations, and schools.  ENDA uses Title VII’s definition of a religious organization, such that if an organization is exempt from Title VII’s religious discrimination prohibitions, it will be exempt from ENDA’s prohibitions.

How ENDA works.  ENDA authorizes the same enforcement powers, procedures and remedies that exist under current federal employment discrimination laws such as Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  All individual relief that is available under Title VII is available under ENDA.  However, unlike Title VII protections, ENDA does not allow an individual to bring a “disparate impact” claim.  In addition, ENDA does not allow for affirmative action or quotas based on sexual orientation.

Bringing this nondiscrimination bill to the House Floor is an historic occasion.  This bill has been introduced in every Congress since 1975.  In the 94th Congress, on January 14, 1975, Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY) introduced the first bill to prohibit sexual-orientation discrimination.  And in every Congress since then, legislation prohibiting sexual-orientation discrimination has been introduced.  However, this year, Congress is making history.  The October 18th vote by the Education and Labor Committee to report this bill to the floor was the first vote ever taken on this critical legislation in the House of Representatives.    

As evidence that nondiscrimination is good for business, many companies have voluntarily adopted nondiscrimination policies.  A 2007 Human Rights Campaign survey found that 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies have already adopted sexual orientation nondiscrimination policies.  Indeed, many major American companies – including General Mills, Microsoft, Citibank, and Morgan Stanley – have expressed their strong support for legislation that outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. 

While many supporters are disappointed the bill is not fully-inclusive, they recognize it is a significant achievement.  Many supporters are disappointed that the bill is not broader – by not also prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity.  However, they recognize that progress in civil rights has always been incremental and that this legislation is a critical step forward.

*Sources: Speaker Nancy Pelosi: http://www.speaker.gov/legislation?id=0121. Additional Informational Links to The Library of Congress Thomas ~ Click Here ~
"News Articles on ENDA"
November 2007
*Senator Ted Kennedy To Introduce ENDA In Senate. 365Gay.Com
*More Details Obtained About ENDA Poll Commissioned by Human Rights Campaign. Advocate
*House Passes Job Bias Ban Against Gays.  A.P./Guardian Unlimited
*House Approves Broad Protections for Gay Workers. N.Y. Times
*An Overdue Step for Equal Justice. Editorial N.Y. Times
*Gay Rights Groups Have Mixed Reactions to Passage of ENDA. Gaywired
*ENDA Passes House Without Trans Protections. 365Gay.Com
*Solidarity On ENDA Trans Inclusion Unravels. 365Gay.Com
**House Begins Debate On ENDA and Whether or Not to Include Trans-Workers. 365Gay.Com
*Human Rights Campaign Supports ENDA, Even Without Transgender Inclusion. Fox News
*House Poised for ENDA Vote, Trans Amendment Likely Introduced, Withdrawn. Express Gay News
October 2007
*Lesbian Lawmaker Offers ENDA Compromise. 365Gay.Com
*Vote On ENDA Delayed As LGBT Pressure Mounts. 365Gay.Com
September 2007
*Gay Groups Unite To Oppose Stripping Trans Protections From ENDA. 365Gay.Com
"Video Clips of House Debate on EDNA"
Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-11) Opens Debate on the Rule:
Rep. Barney Frank (MA-04) Explains the Rule Governing Debate:

"Special News Reports Menu"
*The Employment Non-Discrimination Act H.R.3685 (ENDA) Synopsis, Text & Links: Click Here.
*How Your Representative Voted on "ENDA", Listed By State. Click Here.
*Related News Articles, Editorials & Op-Ed.'s: Click Here.
"Videos of House Representatives Debating Rules & Bill"
*Rep. Kathy Castor (FL) Opens Debate on the Rule.
,*Rep. Barney Frank (MA) Explains the Rule Governing Debate.
*Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY) Speaks in Favor the Rule and Bill.
Rep. Barney Frank (MA) Speaks Again on Bill Itself.
*Rep. John Lewis (GA) Speaks Again During Debate on the Bill Itself.
*Rep. Tammy Baldwin (WI Explains Why She Introduced/Withdrew Amendment Inclusion of Transgender.
Rep. Barney Frank (MA) Emotional Speech On Attempt to Sabotage ENDA.
*House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Spoke in Favor of ENDA Shortly Before Passage By  235-184 Vote.

"No Gays in Iran" (LAST WARNING GRAPHIC MATERIAL POSTED) ~ Click Here ~
*Iran President Says "No Gays in Iran" Video.
*The Sad Story of Two Iranian Teenagers. Video.
*Gay Teens Hanging Photo's (WARNING: There Very Graphic) Photo Gallery.
*News Articles and Resources. Click Here.
Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY-09) Speaks in Favor the Rule and the Bill:
Rep. Barney Frank (MA-04) Speaks Again During Debate on the Bill Itself
Rep. John Lewis (GA-05) Speaks Again During Debate on the Bill it Self:
Rep. Tammy Baldwin (WI-02) Explained Why She Introduced, and Withdrew Her Amendment Adding Inclusion for Transgendered Community:
Rep. Barney Frank (MA-04) Denounces the Motion to Recommit by Republicans, Which Contains Redundant Language on Marriage but Would Intentionally Sabotage the Bill by Delay:
*House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Spoke in Favor of ENDA Before Passage By  235-184 Vote:
The Story of Two Teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni Hanged for Being Gay.