WRITER'S NOTE, FROM JAY PAUL DERATANY:

Haram Iran is a play based upon the true story about the hanging of two Iranian teenagers, who were alleged to be homosexual. The dates, names and many of the facts are true, however the trial scenes and much of the side story of the boys is fictional since we do not know exactly what occurred during the trial.

We do know that the alleged incidents occurred when they were approximately 15 years old. It was only after the media outrage occurred that the judge decided to increase the charges to rape of a younger man.

In Iran thousands of people, including children, are killed each year, some because they are women who have had pre-maritial sex, and some others because they are considered to be homosexual.

The play is not as much about homosexuality as it is about children coming of age, and struggling with their identities as Arab Iranians, and as teenagers longing to discover the world. Who knows if Ayaz and Mahmoud were even gay, they could have been experimenting, like many teenagers do---but what we do know is that they were children--who were killed.

A word of warning: This play involves nudity, and violence, and a criticism of Iranian politics and their very flawed legal system. But this play does not, in any manner critique or criticize Muslims, or the Muslim faith, which is a loving and peaceful religion. In fact, to the contrary, we believe that the Quran would not sanction these hangings, and that many peaceful and loving quotes in the Quran remind us that it is our duty to care for and love children. We also believe that the largely peaceful Muslim people of Iran are as shocked and upset about the killing of these children as the rest of the world, but are imprisoned by the Iranian legal system that does not allow for justice or true freedom of speech.

It is in this spirit that the producer/writer will be donating 25% of the profits from this play to Amnesty International for the aid and assistance to Iranians who suffer from torture and injustice. So when you buy your ticket, remember that some of your ticket price will go to help those who are in desperate need of our care and love.

Below are some links to articles which will help the reader understand the tragedy that befell Ayaz and Mahmoud...may they not have died in vain.

Washington Post • BBC • UKGayNews.Org.Uk • Direland • PageOneQ • Gay.com