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March 7, 2026
My cultural awakening: a Rihanna song showed me how to live as a gay man in Iran
My sexuality had to be hidden from my friends, my parents, not to mention the authorities. Then I found freedom at house parties and one song that sums up me finally being able to be myself
TL;DR
- The author grew up in Tehran under the strict religious laws of the Ayatollah, where being gay was forbidden.
- He discovered a hidden gay scene through underground parties in apartments, which offered a sense of freedom and community.
- Western music, particularly Rihanna's 'Don't Stop the Music', became a significant symbol of liberation and self-expression for him.
- After leaving Iran for London, the author continued to cherish the memory of these parties and the song that represented his awakening.
- The recent death of the Ayatollah has brought a surge of hope for regime change in Iran, potentially leading to a future where gay life is no longer hidden.
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