What 's like to be gay and Qatari - Doha News | Qatar

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• GAY MAN 'HUNTED' BY QATAR POLICE AND GANG-RAPED HOTEL ROOM AHEAD OF WORLD CUP
• QATAR'S FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN HAS A MSAGE FOR FOOTBALL FANS AHEAD OF THE FIFA WORLD CUPNAS MOHAMED LEFT QATAR TO PE PERSECUTN BASED ON HIS SEXUALY. NOW, HE'S SPEAKG OUT.PUBLISHED 1 NOVEMBER 2022 5:50AMBY CAMERON WATTSSOURCE: SBS NEWSIMAGE: NAS MOHAMED ME OUT AS THE FIRST PUBLICLY GAY QATARI. SOURCE: INSTAGRAM VIA @NRKNYHETER (INSTAGRAM @NRKNYHETER)KEY POTSDUBBED THE “FIRST OPENLY GAY QATARI”, NAS MOHAMED SOUGHT ASYLUM THE US TO PE OPPRSIVE ANTI-GAY LAWS. HE'S G HIS PLATFORM TO ADVOTE FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS AHEAD OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP DOHA.NAS SAYS LGBTIQ+ WORLD CUP ATTEN MAY BE AT RISK, SPE ASSURANC OM FIFA AND QATAR’S ERNMENT.BORN TO A TRADNAL ARABIC-SPEAKG HOEHOLD QATAR, NAS MOHAMED FELT HE WAS STED TO BE SET UP AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO A WOMAN.DURG HIS ADOLCENCE, NAS REALISED THAT WAS NOT A LIFE HE WOULD BE PABLE OF LIVG, BUT WH NO ACCS TO "ANY LGBT VISIBILY" QATAR UPLED WH THE THREAT OF PERSECUTN, HE FELT FORCED TO KEEP HIS SEXUALY HIDN. EARLIER THIS YEAR, NAS MA TERNATNAL HEADL AS "THE FIRST OPENLY GAY QATARI", AND HE'S G HIS PLATFORM TO ADVOTE FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS AHEAD OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP DOHA. SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTIVY IS A CRIMAL OFFENCE QATAR AND IS PUNISHABLE WH A JAIL SENTENCE OF UP TO SEVEN YEARS. PUNISHMENTS ARE UALLY HARSHER FOR LOL QATARIS THAN FOR FOREIGN WORKERS AND VISORS.ACRDG TO LGBT RIGHTS ADVOCY ANISATN HUMAN DIGNY TST, QATAR ALSO OPERAT AN TERPRETATN OF SHARIA LAW " WHICH IS TECHNILLY POSSIBLE FOR MEN WHO ENGAGE SAME-SEX TIMACY TO BE SENTENCED TO ATH". "THERE IS SOME LIMED EVINCE OF THE LAW BEG ENFORCED RECENT YEARS, HOWEVER REPORTS ARE RARE," HUMAN DIGNY TST SAYS. READ MORE'WE, THE LGBTI MUNY, ARE SUFFERG': IRAN SENTENC TWO WOMEN TO ATH FOR PROMOTG HOMOSEXUALYNAS CID 11 YEARS AGO, AT AGE 24, TO TRAVEL TO THE UNED STAT AND STUDY A POST-GRADUATE MEDIL GREE.HE LEFT QATAR KNOWG HE WOULD NOT BE RETURNG TO HIS HOMELAND.UNSURE HOW HE WAS GOG TO STAY THE US, NAS APPLIED FOR POLIL ASYLUM ON THE GROUNDS HE WOULD FACE PERSECUTN BACK HOME QATAR. IN 2017, THE US ERNMENT ACCEPTED HIS CLAIMS AND GRANTED ASYLUM.I LEFT WH THE TENTN OF NOT GOG BACK.NAS MOHAMEDEARLIER THIS YEAR HE CID TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY, LEADG TO MEDIA OUTLETS DUBBG HIM “THE FIRST OPENLY GAY QATARI”, ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME HE DIDN’T REALISE THAT HE WAS THE FIRST.NAS SAID THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP BEG HOSTED QATAR WAS THE TALYST FOR PUBLICLY G OUT, AS WAS “STRIKG NOBODY WAS SPEAKG OUT” ABOUT LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS HIS HOMELAND."I WAS TRYG TO GET ATTENTN WHOUT G OUT,” HE SAID, BUT HE FOUND LTLE TRACTN.NAS MOHAMED FELT PELLED TO E OUT PUBLICLY AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP QATAR. CRED: INSTAGRAM @DR._NASSNAS EXPLAED THAT WHILE HE KNOWS PLENTY OF LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR, HE WAS SURPRISED TO FD OUT HE WAS THE FIRST QATARI TO E OUT AS GAY. THE NATN'S HARDLE STANCE ON SAME-SEX RELATNS NTRIBUT TO THE SECRECY.WHEN NAS WAS STILL LIVG QATAR, HE SAID UNRVER BTS AND TFISHG BY POLICE WERE KNOWN PRACTIC TO TCH AND PUNISH MEMBERS OF THE LGBTIQ+ MUNY.READ MOREHUMAN RIGHTS CHAMPN CRAIG FOSTER ON WHY HE'S STILL TAKG PART THE QATAR WORLD CUPNAS' MSAGE FOR LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE ATTENDG THE WORLD CUPNAS WARNED LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE VISG DOHA FOR THE WORLD CUP TO “BE REFUL”.WHILE PRI FLAGS WILL BE OFFICIALLY PERMTED STADIUMS, THEY MIGHT NOT BE WILY WELED, NAS SAID. "I DON'T THK PUBLIC DISPLAY OF RABOW FLAGS OR RALLI WOULD BE PRODUCTIVE," HE SAID.ALTHOUGH VISORS TO THE NATN ARE GENERALLY LS LIKELY TO BE PERSECUTED FOR SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTIVY, NAS WARNED THAT FANS WHO “DON’T PASS” AS HETEROSEXUAL MAY BE SGLED OUT BY LOLS.NAS EXPLAED THAT SOME QATARIS SEE LGBTIQ+ VISIBILY AS “AN TENTNAL ASSLT ON THEM”.NAS MOHAMED NOW LIV SAN FRANCIS THE UNED STAT AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN. CRED: INSTAGRAM @DR._NASSFIFA AND QATARI OFFICIALS HAVE ASSURED VISORS TO THE NATN THAT THEY WILL BE EE OM DISCRIMATN, BUT GUTS ARE EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO THE CULTURAL NORMS OF QATAR.SHOULD FIFA AND WORLD CUP PLAYERS BE CHAMPNG LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS QATAR?NAS BELIEV THAT TEAMS, PLAYERS AND FIFA SHOULD BE ADVOTG LOUST FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS DURG THE WORLD CUP QATAR. “THEY’RE NOT GOG TO BE HARMED,” HE SAID, TELLG ATTEN THEY SHOULD FOC ON THEIR OWN SAFETY FIRST.“BIG AND UNAPOLOGETIC VISIBILY IS THE RPONSIBILY OF THE TEAMS, PLAYERS AND FIFA.”IN OCTOBER, ATRALIA'S SOCCEROOS EXPRSED CRICISM OF THE QATARI ERNMENT’S STANCE ON LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS AS WELL AS NDNS FACED BY MIGRANT WORKERS A JOT STATEMENT.IN A VIO SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, 16 SOCCEROOS PLAYERS LLED ON QATAR TO CRIMALISE SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS."AS PLAYERS, WE FULLY SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF THE LGBTI+ PEOPLE, BUT QATAR PEOPLE ARE NOT EE TO LOVE THE PERSON THEY CHOOSE. ADDRSG THE ISSU IS NOT EASY AND WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS," THEY SAID. "THIS MT CLU TABLISHG A MIGRANTS' ROURCE CENTRE, EFFECTIVE REMEDY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN NIED THEIR RIGHTS AND THE CRIMALISATN OF ALL SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS."THE ARE BASIC RIGHTS THAT SHOULD BE AFFORD TO ALL AND WILL ENSURE NTUED PROGRS QATAR. THIS IS HOW WE N ENSURE A LEGACY THAT GO WELL BEYOND THE FAL WHISTLE OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP."READ MOREWHAT IS THE HUMAN ST OF THE WORLD CUP QATAR?THE SUPREME COMMTEE FOR DELIVERY AND LEGACY FOR THE QATAR WORLD CUP ACKNOWLEDGED THE SOCCEROOS' STATEMENT, SAYG MEND FOOTBALLERS "G THEIR PLATFORMS TO RAISE AWARENS FOR IMPORTANT MATTERS" AND ADDG THAT "NO UNTRY IS PERFECT".SEVERAL EUROPEAN TEAM PTAS HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED THEIR TENTN TO WEAR RABOW PTA ARMBANDS THAT FEATURE THE WORDS “ONE LOVE” DURG THE WORLD CUP SUPPORT OF LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS.CAPTA OF THE GERMAN FOOTBALL TEAM JONAS HOFMANN SHOWS THE SPECIAL PTA'S ARMBAND AS A SIGN AGAST DISCRIMATN AND FOR DIVERSY. PHOTO: SEBASTIAN GOLLNOW/DPA SOURCE: DPA / SEBASTIAN GOLLNOWIN JUNE, NAS LNCHED A PETN ASKG FIFA TO E S FLUENCE TO STAND UP FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS QATAR.IN AN OPEN LETTER TO FIFA PRINT GIANNI INFANTO, NAS WROTE THAT WHILE FIFA CELEBRAT QATAR AS A NATN SHOULD ALSO CELEBRATE LGBTIQ+ QATARIS WHO CURRENTLY "FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY AND EEDOM”.“HUMAN RIGHTS VALU DON'T BELONG TO ONE NTENT, THEY'RE UNIVERSAL,” HE SAID.THE PETN IS NEARG S 80,000 SIGNATURE GOAL WH MORE THAN 70,000 PEOPLE HAVG ALREADY SIGNED SUPPORT.“LOVE IS NOT A CRIME, NOT JT THIS YEAR, BUT ALWAYS”, NAS SAID, URGG ANISATNS CLUDG FIFA TO NTUE TO ADVOTE FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS QATAR AFTER THE WORLD CUP MOV ON.READ MOREDENMARK TO WEAR 'TONED DOWN' WORLD CUP K PROTT AGAST QATAR'S HUMAN RIGHTS RERDWHY AN ATRALIAN ACTIVIST STAGED A PROTT QATARHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (HRW) RELEASED A REPORT OCTOBER OUTLG THE TREATMENT OF LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR, WH NAS NTRIBUTG TO THE FDGS BY NNECTG THE ANISATN TO PEOPLE QATAR.THE REPORT NTAS THE ACUNTS OF SIX LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY WERE ARRTED, ATTACKED, AND KEPT SOLARY NFEMENT BEE OF THEIR SEXUALY OR GENR.NAS SE EVINCE-BASED REPORTG AS SENTIAL FOR BRGG AWARENS TO THE NDNS FACED BY LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR, SAYG THAT SIAR REPORTG WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN HE SOUGHT ASYLUM THE US.“WHEN I WAS FENDG MY ASYLUM SE, NOT HAVG EVINCE-BASED UNTRY NDNS FOR LGBT PEOPLE WAS AN OBSTACLE FOR ME, BEE THEY QUTNED WHETHER MY CLAIMS OF PROSECUTNS WERE REAL OR NOT,” HE SAID.THE REPORTG BY HRW PROMPTED ATRALIAN ACTIVIST PETER TATCHELL TO STAGE A PROTT THE STREETS OF DOHA LAST MONTH, DURG WHICH HE HELD A SIGN THAT READ “QATAR ARRTS, JAILS & SUBJECTS LGBTS TO 'NVERSN'”. IN JUNE, MR INFANTO EXPRSED NFINCE QATAR'S PROMIS OF AN CLIVE WORLD CUP. “WE'VE RECEIVED THE NECSARY GUARANTE, WE ARE TRAG ALL THE OFFICIALS, WE ARE WORKG HAND HAND WH THE ERNMENT, WH THE POLICE THORI, EVERYONE WILL BE WELE,” THE FIFA BOSS SAID.IN OCTOBER, HE HIGHLIGHTED FIFA'S ROLE PROMOTG HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALY – SCRIBG THE WORLD CUP AS “A TOURNAMENT OF PEACE AND UNY”. FIFA QATAR 2022 CHIEF OPERATG OFFICER COL SMH SAID THE WORLD FOOTBALL ERNG BODY SAW "THE POWER AND STRENGTH OF THE WORLD CUP AS A TALYST FOR CHANGE THE REGN". FIFA PRINT GIANNI INFANTO (CENTRE) WH RSIAN PRINT VLADIMIR PUT, AND THE EMIR OF QATAR SHEIKH TAMIM B HAMAD AL-THANI DURG 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP MOSW. CRED: ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/APWHEN ASKED ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF VISORS OM THE LGBTIQ+ MUNY EARLIER THIS YEAR, EMIR OF QATAR SHEIKH TAMIM B HAMAD AL-THANI SAID: “WE WELE EVERYBODY, BUT WE ALSO EXPECT AND WANT PEOPLE TO RPECT OUR CULTURE”.THE ANISG MTEE FOR THE QATAR WORLD CUP SPOKE WH SBS NEWS EARLIER THE YEAR AND SAID THAT LGBTIQ+ FANS WOULD NOT FACE ANY DISCRIMATN DURG THE TOURNAMENT.BUT NAS IS NCERNED THE PUBLIC RELATNS BY FIFA AND THE QATARI ERNMENT MIMISE THE "REAL LIFE NSEQUENC" FACED BY LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR. READ MOREWE ASKED IF GAY FANS WILL BE SAFE AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR. THIS IS WHAT THE HOSTS SAIDDPE THIS, HE HOP THAT CREASED VISIBILY BROUGHT BY THE WORLD CUP ULD BE A STEP TOWARDS OVERG THE OPPRSN OF LGBTIQ+ QATARIS.“BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WILL BE VISIBLE. I THK THAT'S A REALLY POSIVE CHANGE,” HE SAID.SBS NEWS PUT NAS' NCERNS ABOUT LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS TO FIFA AND THE QATARI ERNMENT. FIFA RPOND WH A STATEMENT OUTLG S POLICY TO UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS TERNATNALLY, SAYG THAT “FIFA’S POSN ON CLIVY AND THE PROTECTN OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS UNEQUIVOL”.FIFA LNCH S LGBTQIA0 WORK WH THE RAISG OF THE PRI FLAG AT S ZURICH HEADQUARTERS. CRED: FIFA“FIFA IS NFINT THAT ALL NECSARY MEASUR WILL BE PLACE FOR LGBTIQ+ FANS AND ALLI TO ENJOY THE TOURNAMENT A WELG AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT, JT AS FOR EVERYONE ELSE.” THE STATEMENT SAID.IN A STATEMENT TO SBS NEWS, A QATARI OFFICIAL SAID THAT "EVERYONE IS WELE QATAR", ADDG THAT "A SENSIVE APPROACH TO SECURY WILL BE ADOPTED" DURG THE WORLD CUP TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL FANS.THE OFFICIAL ADD THAT VISORS SHOULD "RPECT LOL VALU AND CULTURE".SHARETAGSSPORTLIFEFIFA WORLD CUP 2022FIFA WORLD CUPREMEND FOR YOU
• GAY MAN OM QATAR SOUNDS ALARM ABOUT VERAGE OF THE WORLD CUP AND LGBT OPPRSN
• GAY LIFE QATAR
• GAY DOHA TRAVEL GUI
• WHAT ’S LIKE TO BE GAY AND QATARI
• WHAT IT'S LIKE BEG GAY IN QATAR: "I FEEL MY COUNTRY HAT ME""I AM THE WORST OF THE WORST, I AM VERM."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY MATTHEW THARRETTAUGT 5, 2016/1:07 PMBY MATTHEW THARRETTAUGT 5, 2016 / 1:07 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT IT'S LIKE BEG GAY IN QATAR: \"I FEEL MY COUNTRY HAT ME\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-08-05T17:07:45.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-08-05T17:07:45.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MATTHEW THARRETT","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A GAY MAN LIVG QATAR OFFERS A SHOCKG PORTRA OF GAY LIFE THE VLENTLY HOMOPHOBIC UNTRY AN SAY FOR DOHA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WRG UNR THE MONIKER MAJID, THE MAN SAYS HE WAS SPIRED TO SPEAK OUT AND SHARE HIS STORY (ALBE "FEARFULLY") AFTER WATCHG HIS MUNY'S REACTN TO THE JUNE 12 SHOOTG AT PULSE NIGHTCLUB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE WERE SAYG THEY ALL SERVED TO DIE – THEY SHOULD HAVE DIED AND DONE HUMANY A FAVOR," MAJID WR. "THEY LLED THEM “GOD’S CURSED PEOPLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE VLENTLY HOMOPHOBIC MENTS, WHICH ARE SHOCKGLY MON THE "PATRIARCHAL, MALE, TTOSTERONE-DRIVEN SOCIETY" THAT PUNISH HOMOSEXUALY WH ATH, HAVE NTRIBUTED TO AN OVERWHELMG AND "EXTREME SENSE OF HOPELSNS" FOR GAY PEOPLE WHO LIVE NSTANT FEAR:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THERE WERE MENTS SAYG WE SHOULD ALL HAVE BEEN SHOT, OR PUT ON AN ISLAND AND SET ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I ALWAYS KNEW THAT PEOPLE FELT THIS WAY, BUT WAS ONLY AFTER THIS THAT I FELT STRONGLY THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANTED TO KILL PEOPLE LIKE ME, AND THAT THIS IS AN ACCEPTED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER THE MENTS, I HAVE BEE EVEN MORE FEARFUL OF PEOPLE KNOWG ABOUT ME. WE ARE SEEN AS FAIR GAME."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT IS VERY JARRG LIVG HERE, IS TRMATIZG TO SEE THAT YOU ARE THE E OF YOUR PARENTS’ ANGUISH, THAT YOU ARE SHAMG YOUR FAY. IT IS A NSTANT ONSLGHT, AND IS KILLG ME," MAJID {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THROUGHOUT THE SAY, HE EXPLAS THAT HOMOSEXUALY IS VIEWED QATAR AS A "WTERN VENTN," AND THAT MANY GAY PEOPLE "HI BEHD A VENEER OF EXTREME HOMOPHOBIC CULTURE BEE MAK THEM SAFE OM PUBLIC SCTY," PARTICIPATG EXTREME HOMOPHOBIA AND EVEN RALLYG AGAST LGBT PEOPLE IF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANY GAY MEN, ACRDG TO MAJID, TRAVEL ORR TO "LIVE OUT [THEIR] REALY" AS GAY MEN OTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT HAS ED IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO MY MENTAL HEALTH," MAJID WR. "I WOULDN’T HAVE CHOSEN TO HAVE BEEN BORN A PLACE WHERE MY LIFE IS TANTAMOUNT TO MY ATH. THERE IS NO PROSPECT OR FUTURE FOR ME HERE – NO NORMALCY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CONTRIBUTG TO THE ANXIETY OF BEG GAY A PLACE THAT DON'T TOLERATE , MAJID, LIKE MANY OTHERS, DON'T EVEN NSIR LEAVG THE UNTRY AS AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE DON’T WANT TO E PUBLIC DISSENT, WE DON’T WANT TO E MORE DAMAGE, HURT OR PA, BUT I FEEL LIKE MY UNTRY HAT ME," HE WR:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I LOVE MY UNTRY AND I AM PROUD OF , AND I DON’T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO GO. IF I LEFT, WOULD FEEL LIKE BEG ST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE ARE NOT A BIRTH FECT, WHICH IS WHAT HAS BEEN SAID TO ME SO MANY TIM. NOTHG HAPPENED TO ME TO MAKE ME GAY AND I DIDN’T CHOOSE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF I HAD A CHOICE, IF THERE WAS A MAGIC PILL I ULD TAKE TO MAKE ME STRAIGHT, THEN I WOULD TAKE . I DON’T WANT THE MISERY OF THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I AM NSTANT TURMOIL AND ANGUISH – HOW DO I RENCILE WHO I AM WH MY FAH THAT SAYS I SHOULDN’T EXIST? I AM THE WORST OF THE WORST, I AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ONLY OPTN, MAJID BELIEV, IS TO BRG A NEW SENSE OF ACCEPTANCE AND UNRSTANDG TO QATAR. BUT HOW?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANT PEOPLE TO ACCEPT . LIVE AND LET LIVE – YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIKE ME BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO PERSECUTE ME," HE NCLUS, WH A PLEA: "THOUGHTS?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• GAY PEOPLE LIVG UNR RADAR QATAR PREPARE WARILY FOR WORLD CUP
• GAY PEOPLE LIVG UNR RADAR QATAR PREPARE WARILY FOR WORLD CUP

GAY MAN 'HUNTED' BY QATAR POLICE AND GANG-RAPED HOTEL ROOM AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

The World Cup will start jt two weeks' time, spe grave ncerns over Qatar's rerd on human rights, wh the Middle East untry ntug to persecute the LGBT+ munyA gay man has claimed he was hunted by police ahead of the upg World CupA gay man who has prevly livg Qatar has claimed he was 'hunted' by the untry's police force before beg gang-raped a hotel room.

One of the biggt ncerns about the Middle East untry is s laws which outlaw homosexualy, wh LGBT+ people the untry at risk of imprisonment or even the ath penalty.

One gay man om the Philipp who worked Qatar as an office assistant, has told how he was lured to a hotel and gang-raped by police. The man, 'Ali', told the i that he received a msage on a gay datg app om a man claimg to be a Turkish worker.

QATAR'S FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN HAS A MSAGE FOR FOOTBALL FANS AHEAD OF THE FIFA WORLD CUPNAS MOHAMED LEFT QATAR TO PE PERSECUTN BASED ON HIS SEXUALY. NOW, HE'S SPEAKG OUT.PUBLISHED 1 NOVEMBER 2022 5:50AMBY CAMERON WATTSSOURCE: SBS NEWSIMAGE: NAS MOHAMED ME OUT AS THE FIRST PUBLICLY GAY QATARI. SOURCE: INSTAGRAM VIA @NRKNYHETER (INSTAGRAM @NRKNYHETER)KEY POTSDUBBED THE “FIRST OPENLY GAY QATARI”, NAS MOHAMED SOUGHT ASYLUM THE US TO PE OPPRSIVE ANTI-GAY LAWS. HE'S G HIS PLATFORM TO ADVOTE FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS AHEAD OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP DOHA.NAS SAYS LGBTIQ+ WORLD CUP ATTEN MAY BE AT RISK, SPE ASSURANC OM FIFA AND QATAR’S ERNMENT.BORN TO A TRADNAL ARABIC-SPEAKG HOEHOLD QATAR, NAS MOHAMED FELT HE WAS STED TO BE SET UP AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO A WOMAN.DURG HIS ADOLCENCE, NAS REALISED THAT WAS NOT A LIFE HE WOULD BE PABLE OF LIVG, BUT WH NO ACCS TO "ANY LGBT VISIBILY" QATAR UPLED WH THE THREAT OF PERSECUTN, HE FELT FORCED TO KEEP HIS SEXUALY HIDN. EARLIER THIS YEAR, NAS MA TERNATNAL HEADL AS "THE FIRST OPENLY GAY QATARI", AND HE'S G HIS PLATFORM TO ADVOTE FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS AHEAD OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP DOHA. SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTIVY IS A CRIMAL OFFENCE QATAR AND IS PUNISHABLE WH A JAIL SENTENCE OF UP TO SEVEN YEARS. PUNISHMENTS ARE UALLY HARSHER FOR LOL QATARIS THAN FOR FOREIGN WORKERS AND VISORS.ACRDG TO LGBT RIGHTS ADVOCY ANISATN HUMAN DIGNY TST, QATAR ALSO OPERAT AN TERPRETATN OF SHARIA LAW " WHICH IS TECHNILLY POSSIBLE FOR MEN WHO ENGAGE SAME-SEX TIMACY TO BE SENTENCED TO ATH". "THERE IS SOME LIMED EVINCE OF THE LAW BEG ENFORCED RECENT YEARS, HOWEVER REPORTS ARE RARE," HUMAN DIGNY TST SAYS. READ MORE'WE, THE LGBTI MUNY, ARE SUFFERG': IRAN SENTENC TWO WOMEN TO ATH FOR PROMOTG HOMOSEXUALYNAS CID 11 YEARS AGO, AT AGE 24, TO TRAVEL TO THE UNED STAT AND STUDY A POST-GRADUATE MEDIL GREE.HE LEFT QATAR KNOWG HE WOULD NOT BE RETURNG TO HIS HOMELAND.UNSURE HOW HE WAS GOG TO STAY THE US, NAS APPLIED FOR POLIL ASYLUM ON THE GROUNDS HE WOULD FACE PERSECUTN BACK HOME QATAR. IN 2017, THE US ERNMENT ACCEPTED HIS CLAIMS AND GRANTED ASYLUM.I LEFT WH THE TENTN OF NOT GOG BACK.NAS MOHAMEDEARLIER THIS YEAR HE CID TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY, LEADG TO MEDIA OUTLETS DUBBG HIM “THE FIRST OPENLY GAY QATARI”, ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME HE DIDN’T REALISE THAT HE WAS THE FIRST.NAS SAID THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP BEG HOSTED QATAR WAS THE TALYST FOR PUBLICLY G OUT, AS WAS “STRIKG NOBODY WAS SPEAKG OUT” ABOUT LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS HIS HOMELAND."I WAS TRYG TO GET ATTENTN WHOUT G OUT,” HE SAID, BUT HE FOUND LTLE TRACTN.NAS MOHAMED FELT PELLED TO E OUT PUBLICLY AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP QATAR. CRED: INSTAGRAM @DR._NASSNAS EXPLAED THAT WHILE HE KNOWS PLENTY OF LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR, HE WAS SURPRISED TO FD OUT HE WAS THE FIRST QATARI TO E OUT AS GAY. THE NATN'S HARDLE STANCE ON SAME-SEX RELATNS NTRIBUT TO THE SECRECY.WHEN NAS WAS STILL LIVG QATAR, HE SAID UNRVER BTS AND TFISHG BY POLICE WERE KNOWN PRACTIC TO TCH AND PUNISH MEMBERS OF THE LGBTIQ+ MUNY.READ MOREHUMAN RIGHTS CHAMPN CRAIG FOSTER ON WHY HE'S STILL TAKG PART THE QATAR WORLD CUPNAS' MSAGE FOR LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE ATTENDG THE WORLD CUPNAS WARNED LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE VISG DOHA FOR THE WORLD CUP TO “BE REFUL”.WHILE PRI FLAGS WILL BE OFFICIALLY PERMTED STADIUMS, THEY MIGHT NOT BE WILY WELED, NAS SAID. "I DON'T THK PUBLIC DISPLAY OF RABOW FLAGS OR RALLI WOULD BE PRODUCTIVE," HE SAID.ALTHOUGH VISORS TO THE NATN ARE GENERALLY LS LIKELY TO BE PERSECUTED FOR SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTIVY, NAS WARNED THAT FANS WHO “DON’T PASS” AS HETEROSEXUAL MAY BE SGLED OUT BY LOLS.NAS EXPLAED THAT SOME QATARIS SEE LGBTIQ+ VISIBILY AS “AN TENTNAL ASSLT ON THEM”.NAS MOHAMED NOW LIV SAN FRANCIS THE UNED STAT AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN. CRED: INSTAGRAM @DR._NASSFIFA AND QATARI OFFICIALS HAVE ASSURED VISORS TO THE NATN THAT THEY WILL BE EE OM DISCRIMATN, BUT GUTS ARE EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO THE CULTURAL NORMS OF QATAR.SHOULD FIFA AND WORLD CUP PLAYERS BE CHAMPNG LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS QATAR?NAS BELIEV THAT TEAMS, PLAYERS AND FIFA SHOULD BE ADVOTG LOUST FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS DURG THE WORLD CUP QATAR. “THEY’RE NOT GOG TO BE HARMED,” HE SAID, TELLG ATTEN THEY SHOULD FOC ON THEIR OWN SAFETY FIRST.“BIG AND UNAPOLOGETIC VISIBILY IS THE RPONSIBILY OF THE TEAMS, PLAYERS AND FIFA.”IN OCTOBER, ATRALIA'S SOCCEROOS EXPRSED CRICISM OF THE QATARI ERNMENT’S STANCE ON LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS AS WELL AS NDNS FACED BY MIGRANT WORKERS A JOT STATEMENT.IN A VIO SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, 16 SOCCEROOS PLAYERS LLED ON QATAR TO CRIMALISE SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS."AS PLAYERS, WE FULLY SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF THE LGBTI+ PEOPLE, BUT QATAR PEOPLE ARE NOT EE TO LOVE THE PERSON THEY CHOOSE. ADDRSG THE ISSU IS NOT EASY AND WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS," THEY SAID. "THIS MT CLU TABLISHG A MIGRANTS' ROURCE CENTRE, EFFECTIVE REMEDY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN NIED THEIR RIGHTS AND THE CRIMALISATN OF ALL SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS."THE ARE BASIC RIGHTS THAT SHOULD BE AFFORD TO ALL AND WILL ENSURE NTUED PROGRS QATAR. THIS IS HOW WE N ENSURE A LEGACY THAT GO WELL BEYOND THE FAL WHISTLE OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP."READ MOREWHAT IS THE HUMAN ST OF THE WORLD CUP QATAR?THE SUPREME COMMTEE FOR DELIVERY AND LEGACY FOR THE QATAR WORLD CUP ACKNOWLEDGED THE SOCCEROOS' STATEMENT, SAYG MEND FOOTBALLERS "G THEIR PLATFORMS TO RAISE AWARENS FOR IMPORTANT MATTERS" AND ADDG THAT "NO UNTRY IS PERFECT".SEVERAL EUROPEAN TEAM PTAS HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED THEIR TENTN TO WEAR RABOW PTA ARMBANDS THAT FEATURE THE WORDS “ONE LOVE” DURG THE WORLD CUP SUPPORT OF LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS.CAPTA OF THE GERMAN FOOTBALL TEAM JONAS HOFMANN SHOWS THE SPECIAL PTA'S ARMBAND AS A SIGN AGAST DISCRIMATN AND FOR DIVERSY. PHOTO: SEBASTIAN GOLLNOW/DPA SOURCE: DPA / SEBASTIAN GOLLNOWIN JUNE, NAS LNCHED A PETN ASKG FIFA TO E S FLUENCE TO STAND UP FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS QATAR.IN AN OPEN LETTER TO FIFA PRINT GIANNI INFANTO, NAS WROTE THAT WHILE FIFA CELEBRAT QATAR AS A NATN SHOULD ALSO CELEBRATE LGBTIQ+ QATARIS WHO CURRENTLY "FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY AND EEDOM”.“HUMAN RIGHTS VALU DON'T BELONG TO ONE NTENT, THEY'RE UNIVERSAL,” HE SAID.THE PETN IS NEARG S 80,000 SIGNATURE GOAL WH MORE THAN 70,000 PEOPLE HAVG ALREADY SIGNED SUPPORT.“LOVE IS NOT A CRIME, NOT JT THIS YEAR, BUT ALWAYS”, NAS SAID, URGG ANISATNS CLUDG FIFA TO NTUE TO ADVOTE FOR LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS QATAR AFTER THE WORLD CUP MOV ON.READ MOREDENMARK TO WEAR 'TONED DOWN' WORLD CUP K PROTT AGAST QATAR'S HUMAN RIGHTS RERDWHY AN ATRALIAN ACTIVIST STAGED A PROTT QATARHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (HRW) RELEASED A REPORT OCTOBER OUTLG THE TREATMENT OF LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR, WH NAS NTRIBUTG TO THE FDGS BY NNECTG THE ANISATN TO PEOPLE QATAR.THE REPORT NTAS THE ACUNTS OF SIX LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY WERE ARRTED, ATTACKED, AND KEPT SOLARY NFEMENT BEE OF THEIR SEXUALY OR GENR.NAS SE EVINCE-BASED REPORTG AS SENTIAL FOR BRGG AWARENS TO THE NDNS FACED BY LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR, SAYG THAT SIAR REPORTG WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN HE SOUGHT ASYLUM THE US.“WHEN I WAS FENDG MY ASYLUM SE, NOT HAVG EVINCE-BASED UNTRY NDNS FOR LGBT PEOPLE WAS AN OBSTACLE FOR ME, BEE THEY QUTNED WHETHER MY CLAIMS OF PROSECUTNS WERE REAL OR NOT,” HE SAID.THE REPORTG BY HRW PROMPTED ATRALIAN ACTIVIST PETER TATCHELL TO STAGE A PROTT THE STREETS OF DOHA LAST MONTH, DURG WHICH HE HELD A SIGN THAT READ “QATAR ARRTS, JAILS & SUBJECTS LGBTS TO 'NVERSN'”. IN JUNE, MR INFANTO EXPRSED NFINCE QATAR'S PROMIS OF AN CLIVE WORLD CUP. “WE'VE RECEIVED THE NECSARY GUARANTE, WE ARE TRAG ALL THE OFFICIALS, WE ARE WORKG HAND HAND WH THE ERNMENT, WH THE POLICE THORI, EVERYONE WILL BE WELE,” THE FIFA BOSS SAID.IN OCTOBER, HE HIGHLIGHTED FIFA'S ROLE PROMOTG HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALY – SCRIBG THE WORLD CUP AS “A TOURNAMENT OF PEACE AND UNY”. FIFA QATAR 2022 CHIEF OPERATG OFFICER COL SMH SAID THE WORLD FOOTBALL ERNG BODY SAW "THE POWER AND STRENGTH OF THE WORLD CUP AS A TALYST FOR CHANGE THE REGN". FIFA PRINT GIANNI INFANTO (CENTRE) WH RSIAN PRINT VLADIMIR PUT, AND THE EMIR OF QATAR SHEIKH TAMIM B HAMAD AL-THANI DURG 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP MOSW. CRED: ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/APWHEN ASKED ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF VISORS OM THE LGBTIQ+ MUNY EARLIER THIS YEAR, EMIR OF QATAR SHEIKH TAMIM B HAMAD AL-THANI SAID: “WE WELE EVERYBODY, BUT WE ALSO EXPECT AND WANT PEOPLE TO RPECT OUR CULTURE”.THE ANISG MTEE FOR THE QATAR WORLD CUP SPOKE WH SBS NEWS EARLIER THE YEAR AND SAID THAT LGBTIQ+ FANS WOULD NOT FACE ANY DISCRIMATN DURG THE TOURNAMENT.BUT NAS IS NCERNED THE PUBLIC RELATNS BY FIFA AND THE QATARI ERNMENT MIMISE THE "REAL LIFE NSEQUENC" FACED BY LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE QATAR. READ MOREWE ASKED IF GAY FANS WILL BE SAFE AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR. THIS IS WHAT THE HOSTS SAIDDPE THIS, HE HOP THAT CREASED VISIBILY BROUGHT BY THE WORLD CUP ULD BE A STEP TOWARDS OVERG THE OPPRSN OF LGBTIQ+ QATARIS.“BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WILL BE VISIBLE. I THK THAT'S A REALLY POSIVE CHANGE,” HE SAID.SBS NEWS PUT NAS' NCERNS ABOUT LGBTIQ+ RIGHTS TO FIFA AND THE QATARI ERNMENT. FIFA RPOND WH A STATEMENT OUTLG S POLICY TO UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS TERNATNALLY, SAYG THAT “FIFA’S POSN ON CLIVY AND THE PROTECTN OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS UNEQUIVOL”.FIFA LNCH S LGBTQIA0 WORK WH THE RAISG OF THE PRI FLAG AT S ZURICH HEADQUARTERS. CRED: FIFA“FIFA IS NFINT THAT ALL NECSARY MEASUR WILL BE PLACE FOR LGBTIQ+ FANS AND ALLI TO ENJOY THE TOURNAMENT A WELG AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT, JT AS FOR EVERYONE ELSE.” THE STATEMENT SAID.IN A STATEMENT TO SBS NEWS, A QATARI OFFICIAL SAID THAT "EVERYONE IS WELE QATAR", ADDG THAT "A SENSIVE APPROACH TO SECURY WILL BE ADOPTED" DURG THE WORLD CUP TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL FANS.THE OFFICIAL ADD THAT VISORS SHOULD "RPECT LOL VALU AND CULTURE".SHARETAGSSPORTLIFEFIFA WORLD CUP 2022FIFA WORLD CUPREMEND FOR YOU

The police officers then searched his bag, accg him of beg a prostute, before another gay man arrived after also beg lured to a hotel. Acrdg to the report, several other gay men have claimed they were 'hunted' the same way by Qatar's police force.

As the first and currently only Qatari to publicly e out as gay, Mohamed­—a doctor who has lived the U. But given homosexualy is crimalized Qatar, he is likely to rema s only member for the foreeable future.

In the months sce, Mohamed lnched the non-prof Alwan Foundatn to advance LGBTQ+ rights across the Middle East and pecially Qatar, where he says that secury operativ filtrate gay muni orr to torture and erce members to rm on others. TIME: As a gay Qatari, do you feel that hostg the World Cup n brg change? Is there an unrground gay scene or is that too dangero?

GAY MAN OM QATAR SOUNDS ALARM ABOUT VERAGE OF THE WORLD CUP AND LGBT OPPRSN

There are some people om really affluent fai that are gay and ’s almost public knowledge—but they’re really wealthy, affluent, and very nnected, so people jt don’t say anythg. But even the most powerful gay [person] Qatar is powerls some ways.

They uld gaybash and get away wh wh no nsequenc at all. And if such an attack happens on a gay fan, I don’t know of the [secury] rourc to help them.

GAY LIFE QATAR

Bee you uld be harmed, you n be gay bashed, you n be beaten, and people may not be able to help you. Earlier this year, Nas ma ternatnal headl as "the first openly gay Qatari", and he's g his platform to advote for.

I left wh the tentn of not gog MohamedEarlier this year he cid to publicly e out as gay, leadg to media outlets dubbg him “the first openly gay Qatari”, although at the time he didn’t realise that he was the said the 2022 FIFA World Cup beg hosted Qatar was the talyst for publicly g out, as was “strikg nobody was speakg out” about LGBTIQ+ rights his homeland.

_nassNas explaed that while he knows plenty of LGBTIQ+ people Qatar, he was surprised to fd out he was the first Qatari to e out as gay.

GAY DOHA TRAVEL GUI

Although visors to the natn are generally ls likely to be persecuted for same-sex sexual activy, Nas warned that fans who “don’t pass” as heterosexual may be sgled out by explaed that some Qataris see LGBTIQ+ visibily as “an tentnal asslt on them” Mohamed now liv San Francis the Uned Stat as an openly gay man. This year of the FIFA World Cup, I am speakg up agast homophobia and I thk we all should too.

It was durg a trip to the Uned Stat 2010 when I really e to terms wh the fact that I am gay – that I uld choose to not get married to a woman back home and be happy the USA.

WHAT ’S LIKE TO BE GAY AND QATARI

In 2015, I moved to San Francis and filed for polil asylum as I was aaid to return to Qatar as I ntued to e out as a gay man. Much like other small Gulf Stat the Arabian pensula fdg recent and -pth stori about gay life is not easy. The biggt public kerfluffle about homosexualy Qatar recent years has not ncerned any gay executns, wch hunts, persecutn or mands for gay marriage.

WHAT IT'S LIKE BEG GAY IN QATAR: "I FEEL MY COUNTRY HAT ME""I AM THE WORST OF THE WORST, I AM VERM."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY MATTHEW THARRETTAUGT 5, 2016/1:07 PMBY MATTHEW THARRETTAUGT 5, 2016 / 1:07 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT IT'S LIKE BEG GAY IN QATAR: \"I FEEL MY COUNTRY HAT ME\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-08-05T17:07:45.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-08-05T17:07:45.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MATTHEW THARRETT","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A GAY MAN LIVG QATAR OFFERS A SHOCKG PORTRA OF GAY LIFE THE VLENTLY HOMOPHOBIC UNTRY AN SAY FOR DOHA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WRG UNR THE MONIKER MAJID, THE MAN SAYS HE WAS SPIRED TO SPEAK OUT AND SHARE HIS STORY (ALBE "FEARFULLY") AFTER WATCHG HIS MUNY'S REACTN TO THE JUNE 12 SHOOTG AT PULSE NIGHTCLUB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE WERE SAYG THEY ALL SERVED TO DIE – THEY SHOULD HAVE DIED AND DONE HUMANY A FAVOR," MAJID WR. "THEY LLED THEM “GOD’S CURSED PEOPLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE VLENTLY HOMOPHOBIC MENTS, WHICH ARE SHOCKGLY MON THE "PATRIARCHAL, MALE, TTOSTERONE-DRIVEN SOCIETY" THAT PUNISH HOMOSEXUALY WH ATH, HAVE NTRIBUTED TO AN OVERWHELMG AND "EXTREME SENSE OF HOPELSNS" FOR GAY PEOPLE WHO LIVE NSTANT FEAR:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THERE WERE MENTS SAYG WE SHOULD ALL HAVE BEEN SHOT, OR PUT ON AN ISLAND AND SET ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I ALWAYS KNEW THAT PEOPLE FELT THIS WAY, BUT WAS ONLY AFTER THIS THAT I FELT STRONGLY THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANTED TO KILL PEOPLE LIKE ME, AND THAT THIS IS AN ACCEPTED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER THE MENTS, I HAVE BEE EVEN MORE FEARFUL OF PEOPLE KNOWG ABOUT ME. WE ARE SEEN AS FAIR GAME."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT IS VERY JARRG LIVG HERE, IS TRMATIZG TO SEE THAT YOU ARE THE E OF YOUR PARENTS’ ANGUISH, THAT YOU ARE SHAMG YOUR FAY. IT IS A NSTANT ONSLGHT, AND IS KILLG ME," MAJID {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THROUGHOUT THE SAY, HE EXPLAS THAT HOMOSEXUALY IS VIEWED QATAR AS A "WTERN VENTN," AND THAT MANY GAY PEOPLE "HI BEHD A VENEER OF EXTREME HOMOPHOBIC CULTURE BEE MAK THEM SAFE OM PUBLIC SCTY," PARTICIPATG EXTREME HOMOPHOBIA AND EVEN RALLYG AGAST LGBT PEOPLE IF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANY GAY MEN, ACRDG TO MAJID, TRAVEL ORR TO "LIVE OUT [THEIR] REALY" AS GAY MEN OTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT HAS ED IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO MY MENTAL HEALTH," MAJID WR. "I WOULDN’T HAVE CHOSEN TO HAVE BEEN BORN A PLACE WHERE MY LIFE IS TANTAMOUNT TO MY ATH. THERE IS NO PROSPECT OR FUTURE FOR ME HERE – NO NORMALCY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CONTRIBUTG TO THE ANXIETY OF BEG GAY A PLACE THAT DON'T TOLERATE , MAJID, LIKE MANY OTHERS, DON'T EVEN NSIR LEAVG THE UNTRY AS AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE DON’T WANT TO E PUBLIC DISSENT, WE DON’T WANT TO E MORE DAMAGE, HURT OR PA, BUT I FEEL LIKE MY UNTRY HAT ME," HE WR:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I LOVE MY UNTRY AND I AM PROUD OF , AND I DON’T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO GO. IF I LEFT, WOULD FEEL LIKE BEG ST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE ARE NOT A BIRTH FECT, WHICH IS WHAT HAS BEEN SAID TO ME SO MANY TIM. NOTHG HAPPENED TO ME TO MAKE ME GAY AND I DIDN’T CHOOSE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF I HAD A CHOICE, IF THERE WAS A MAGIC PILL I ULD TAKE TO MAKE ME STRAIGHT, THEN I WOULD TAKE . I DON’T WANT THE MISERY OF THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I AM NSTANT TURMOIL AND ANGUISH – HOW DO I RENCILE WHO I AM WH MY FAH THAT SAYS I SHOULDN’T EXIST? I AM THE WORST OF THE WORST, I AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ONLY OPTN, MAJID BELIEV, IS TO BRG A NEW SENSE OF ACCEPTANCE AND UNRSTANDG TO QATAR. BUT HOW?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANT PEOPLE TO ACCEPT . LIVE AND LET LIVE – YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIKE ME BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO PERSECUTE ME," HE NCLUS, WH A PLEA: "THOUGHTS?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Completely overlookg the social impact of such a huge ternatnal event such a ty Islamic place as Qatar FIFA got self to hot water om human rights anizatns as well as gay rights associatns.

The disptive issue was homosexualy. Very few are prepared to sudnly surrenr their sexual inty and stop beg gay for a week.

However, homosexualy is illegal Qatar and n be punished wh lash and jail, which offends the progrsive agenda of rights groups the Wt.

GAY PEOPLE LIVG UNR RADAR QATAR PREPARE WARILY FOR WORLD CUP

It is unavoidable that a clash of cultur will occur; a llisn of east-vers-wt agast Qatar’s tightly bound sexual and social standards, both straight and gay. The UK gay football group, The Jt Campaign, as well as activist John Ameechi, said was eply ncerned: “spe their apparent mment to humanarian valu and the promotn of global solidary through football, FIFA is sendg out a msage loud and clear that the rights of the global LGBT muny do not even register on their agenda… Sport should never be allowed to tmp human rights.

GAY PEOPLE LIVG UNR RADAR QATAR PREPARE WARILY FOR WORLD CUP

Some have lled upon Qatar to crimalize homosexualy by 2022. ) by subsequent ments by the FIFA Print Sepp Blatter who tried to mimize the ncerns of the gay football fans worldwi by sayg that gays, to avoid trouble, should simply not have sex while Qatar: “homosexual fans should rea om any sexual activi that are illegal Qatar”. In Febary 2011, UK PM Cameron was asked about awardg the World Cup to a homophobic untry that crimaliz homosexualy.

Meanwhile: Beg Gay Qatar. Simply put, if a foreigner wants to be openly gay Qatar his life will be very difficult (if not impossible). If they are gog to be gay private should not provoke any reactn.

However, even if a gay person is most and discreet he (unlikely she) may be targeted by foul-md lol Qatari men for any number of reasons such as blackmail, money, sexual abe or relig enmy. For foreigners, beg sgle over the age of 30 is a spic cue; drsg wh some fashn, beg well groomed, sg at others, beg gentle and pole n be nsted as gay tras.