'The more feminine you are, and poorer you are, the more severely persecuted. [Torture] exists, but also state-mandated conversion therapy, this is a huge thing.' TIME speaks to Dr. Naser Mohamed about the reality of life for LGBTQ+ people in Qatar
Mohamed speaks to TIME about the reality of life for LGBTQ+ people in Qatar and what the World Cup means for them.Mohamed: I know a few LGBT people at home who are trying to raise attention that there is severe persecution in Qatar, which is getting worse leading up to the World Cup. And it will be even worse after the World Cup. And we’re really trying to summon help quickly now, before people lose interest in the issue, and we’re on our own again.
It’s both. I came out to my parents in 2015. They just cut me off. And I haven’t heard a word from them; they didn’t even call to yell at me! Because it’s not safe to establish a connection with me. But that’s where we are and it drives me insane when Qatari PR tries to downplay [the treatment of LGBT people].
There were a couple of spots that were shut down by the cops. They’re not clubs, but cruising spots that the community knows. But they’re super down-low, because they can be infiltrated by undercover cops. There are even sex parties and things like that but they’re all super small. And they don’t know about each other. And that’s because when one of them is infiltrated by an undercover cop, they really aggressively try to find the contacts that each person has.
That’s what I expect. If it were up to them, they would keep strict control. But there are two things: one, they really care a lot about PR. All the things they do to [the LGBTQ+ community] are in the shadows—nothing is public. Because they really care about how [the world] perceives them. But also they don’t have the resources to [crackdown] during the World Cup, resources to dedicate to hunting LGBT people.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
USA soccer team backs LGBTQ community with rainbow logo ahead of Qatar World CupThe US Men’s National Soccer team has showcased its support for the LGBTQ community with a rainbow-colored team logo at their training facility ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Read more »
'A tournament stolen from us': LGBTQ England fans boycott Qatar World Cup over fears for safety'A tournament stolen from us': LGBTQ England fans boycott Qatar World Cup over fears for safety 💬 'Their culture says that ultimately, they can put me to death. Ok – not going there then. We wouldn’t travel to somewhere we didn’t feel safe'
Read more »
Peter Crouch and BGT star do LGBTQ+ charity album amid Qatar World Cup criticismFootballing legend Peter Crouch is adding another string to his bow as he's formed an unlikely partnership with BGT's Paul Potts to release a classical album to raise money
Read more »
FIFA chief Infantino urged to end silence on compensation scheme for Qatar migrant workers - Football365Football365 - Amnesty International has urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to break his silence on a compensation scheme for migrant workers.
Read more »
Inside the £1bn World Cup cruise ship that is expected to host wags staying in QatarMSC World Europa was christened in Doha on Sunday night and will take passengers on voyages around the Gulf, and then the Mediterranean, after the tournament ends
Read more »