GOP Senator Thinks Gays Should Be Grateful They're Not in Iran

Hey gays! Shut up about Indiana already. It could be worse: You could be killed in Iran!

The U.S. Senator from Arkansas who set off a firestorm of criticism in March for penning a letter signed by 46 of his Republican colleagues warning the leaders of Iran that any nuclear treaty struck could be revoked by future U.S. presidents, is once again evoking the middle east nation - this time to make a tenuous point about domestic religious liberty, Raw Story reports.

Appearing on CNN's "The Situation Room" Wednesday, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) dismissed critics of Indiana's newly adopted "license to discriminate law," by drawing attention to draconian anti-gay laws in Iran.

"I also think it's important that we have a sense of perspective about our priorities," Cotton told host Wolf Blitzer. "In Iran they hang you for the crime of being gay."

Think Progress notes Cotton went on to suggest that Indiana's law is identical to the federal law signed by President Clinton in 1993, a point that was refuted Wednesday by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) who refused to sign a "religious freedom" bill like Indiana's until it was brought into line with the federal model.

Cotton's statement in part echoes one made earlier in March by Log Cabin Republican president Gregory T. Angelo, who blasted the Obama administration for moving forward with nuclear talks with Iran without addressing human rights abuses against its LGBT citizenry.

"It is absolutely appalling that the negotiations taking place right now between the United States and the Iranian government have avoided any serious discussion of the horrendous human rights abuses taking place in Iran," said Angelo. "Given the reluctance of Democratic gay rights activists to ever level any criticism whatsoever against the Obama administration, and the absence of the brutal treatment of gays as well as women and Jews from United States diplomacy in this matter, it is incumbent upon Log Cabin Republicans to draw attention to this important issue. The deadline for a deal is looming, but it is not too late; Secretary Kerry can still make human rights an important part of these highly consequential negotiations. Anything that does not is a bad deal."