Dr. Payam Ghassemlou
(1966 - living) Iran - U.S.A.
Psychotherapist
Dr. Payam Ghassemlou is an Iranian gay man, who moved to the U.S. in 1982 and became a psychotherapist in Los Angeles. He helps others through sharing his life experiences. He currently lives in Los Angeles where he works as a psychotherapist. Ghassemlou moved to the United States in 1982 and struggled for many years to come to terms with being gay. He hopes his work inspires others to find meaning inherent in being gay.
"It was very difficult for me to pay attention to my sexuality in Iran due to turmoil around me, which was a constant distraction. During the Iran-Iraq War, I spent a great deal of time hiding in my basement each time I heard the warning siren. When one lives in a country that's going through revolution and war, it's difficult to ask for help with coming out."
Source: Ghassemlou, P., Iran's Gay Emigrés and the Persistence of the Closet, Gay & Lesbian Review vol. 9 no.3 pp. 7-8 May/June 2002
|
