In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country.
Gasps of disbelief, titters of uncomfortable laughter and booing could be heard from the Columbia University audience after this remark — on charges of mistreatment of gays and lesbians in Iran — made by Ahmadinejad during a visit to the school in September 2007. The jeers soon turned into jokes after the popular sketch comedy show SNL made light of the comment with a musical parody entitled "Iran so Far" which became a viral sensation. Ahmadinejad later defended his statement, clarifying that he "didn't say [Iranian homosexuals] don't exist," but rather they are not as open with their sexuality as gays in America. "People simply don't like it."