"Gays, lesbians and transsexuals in Iran face extreme persecution, and an increasing number have fled the country. Many first go to Turkey, where they do not need visas to visit, but cannot permanently settle. There, they wait for years to get asylum in Canada, the United States, Australia or European countries. Sheyda, 27, from Tehran is a hairstylist, makeup artist and a wedding planner who had a sex change operation. In Iran she became engaged to man, whose family then forbid the marriage from taking place. Her ex-fiancée committed suicide, and his family has since threatened to kill her. She arrived in Turkey in October 2008 and is still waiting to be granted asylum elsewhere."