the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning the targeting of persons based on their sexual orientation.

This was the first time the United Nations took an official stance on LGBT discrimination,

and perhaps surprisingly, it garnered support from a number of countries that outlaw homosexuality,

including Egypt and Russia. So, where do these draconian laws exist?

Where is it illegal to be gay?

Well, according to the UN, homosexuality is a crime in at least 74 countries, 13 of which

impose the death penalty for these alleged “crimes.” These laws exist most pervasively in Africa and the Middle East,

where lengthy prison sentences, forced psychiatric treatment, whippings,

hard labor and death by public stoning are all common punishments for homosexuality.

Some of the most notable anti-gay laws exist in Uganda, where individuals can face life in prison for homosexual acts.

These laws were first introduced by Uganda’s British colonial rulers in the 19th Century,

and retained through the country’s independence in 1962.

But, they largely went unenforced until the early 2000s, that's when American Christian Missionaries

popularized the idea that gay people sought to destroy their society by preying on and recruiting children as homosexuals.

This is also been directly linked to Uganda’s infamous Anti-Homosexuality,

or “kill the gays” bill, which, in 2014, originally made homosexuality punishable by death.

The bill was subsequently overturned, and no later versions have successfully made it through parliament.

But inarguably worse place to be gay is Iran, which enforces capital punishment.

The law makes a distinction for gay women, who are lashed 50 times for their first three offenses,

but for any further offenses the punishment is still death.

Gay men can also be whipped for lesser acts, like kissing or holding hands. Iran’s anti-gay laws

stem from their adherence to Sharia Law, which is a strict interpretation of the teachings of Islam.

The Quran explicitly states that sex between men should be punished, however

it does not specify how, and later adds that those who repent should be left alone.

Still, human rights groups estimate that between four thousand and six thousand people have been executed for such acts since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Afghanistan also adheres to Sharia Law, and, in effect, strictly forbids homosexuality.

While the country was under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, gay men and women were routinely executed.

However, since the extremist group was toppled by US forces, Afghanistan has generally punished homosexual acts with a prison sentence.

And, although capital punishment is still enshrined in their legal code, it has reportedly gone unenforced since 2001.

But, these laws are not exclusive to Africa and the Middle East. In 2013, Russia enacted the infamous anti-Gay Propaganda Law,

which prohibits discussion or display of any non-traditional sexual behavior, ostensibly, to protect minors.

Additionally, Belize has outlawed same-sex activity since 1988, and today, their Immigration Act

bars gay men and women from even entering the country. The United Nations and various human rights organizations

have made efforts to decriminalize homosexuality. However, the worst offenders have yet to reform their anti-gay laws.

While Iran may have some of the strict anti-gay laws, the country is surprisingly accepting transgender people.

And, the government even funds gender reassignment surgeries. But, is Iran really being open-minded? Or, it's something going on ? Find out in this video.

While the high rate of surgeries may seem to suggest a more progressive Iran, in practical application, the situation is much worse than it seems.

The issue stems from the fact that any non-heterosexual behavior is condemned. Thus, sex reassignment is more of an effort

to bring a person's behavior and lifestyle in line with Islamic law. Thanks for watching Seeker Daily. Don't forget to like and subscribe for new videos every day.