Why this photo of an Australian ambassador has sparked fury
Ambassador Ian McConville (centre) and embassy staff in the offending photo.
Australia has defended its right to back in its values overseas after Iran reportedly summoned its ambassador in Tehran over a social media post it deemed “promoted homosexuality”.
It follows an Instagram post from the Australian embassy in Tehran to celebrate last Friday’s “Wear it Purple Day” as a way of creating a “supportive environment where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves”.
The photo posted to the official “Australia in Iran” account on Sunday shows embassy staff, including ambassador Ian McConville, wearing purple and holding a plate of purple cupcakes.
“Celebrating ‘Wear it Purple Day’ with a splash of purple in every corner, and some delicious cupcakes made with love,” an English translation reads.
“Let’s keep championing diversity and inclusion for a brighter, more inclusive future.”
But Iranian state media said the post “promoted homosexuality”, according to Iranian state media.
The country’s semi-official ILNA news agency reported it was “norm-breaking”. ILNA also quoted McConville as saying the post was not intended to insult the Iranian people or their values.
According to another semi-official government news agency, Mehr, the director of the Regional Department at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had “strongly condemned the action of the Australian embassy in posting such content that was against the accepted norms”.
“The content published by the Australian embassy is insulting and contrary to Iranian and Islamic tradition, customs and culture,” he reportedly said.
The diplomat also suggested such content was a violation of international law.
Asked on Wednesday about the response, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the government supported all Australians, regardless of their race or sexual orientation.
“I’m very concerned to see an overseas government seemingly take action against an Australian embassy that is upholding Australian values,” he told ABC News.
“We’re very proud about the fact that our embassies promote Australian values internationally.”
The post remained on the embassy’s Instagram account on Wednesday.
Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and punishable by death. The nation’s leaders have previously described it as part of the “moral depravity” found in Western society.
-with AAP
