HOMA (Alliance for Iranian LGBTQI+ Justice) has published its first analytical report, Under the Digital Veil: Structural Internet Censorship and the Isolation of Iran’s LGBTQI+ Community.
This report examines how Iran’s system of internet censorship systematically restricts access to information, support networks, and safe digital spaces for LGBTQI+ individuals. By analyzing legal frameworks, technical filtering mechanisms, and the lived experiences of queer Iranians, the report demonstrates how online repression deepens social isolation and undermines multiple fundamental rights.
The study draws on legal analysis, expert medical insight, and testimonies from community members to document how censorship directly affects mental health, identity development, community-building, and access to essential resources. It also provides targeted recommendations for governments, international organizations, and digital rights actors.
Summary
The full report is now available for download. Below is a brief overview of its key findings.
Under the Digital Veil explores how Iran’s expanding digital repression structurally isolates the LGBTQI+ community by limiting access to vital information, preventing the formation of support networks, and restricting safe online expression. The report outlines the censorship tools used by the state, the psychological and social impact of restricted access, and the resulting violations of the rights to health, education, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination. It shows how digital censorship compounds the vulnerability of queer Iranians and intensifies their marginalization.
Download the Full Report
A Farsi version of the report will be published soon.
Homa 