Every day during the FIFA World Cup, Dr Nas Mohamed is sharing a story from a fellow LGBT+ Qatari; members of the community back in Qatar have been submitting testimonies via Instagram – read them here; Dr Nas is raising money for the Alwan Foundation to advance LGBTQ+ rights in the Gulf region
The charity, which was set up in 2016 from funds raised by the sale of nude calendars, receives generous donation from Lycett; comedian admitted he didn’t shred the cash, which was a stunt to draw attention to David Beckham’s multi-million pound ambassadorial deal with tournament hosts Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal…
“Having people in the game who you can talk to makes you feel like you’re not in it alone” – that’s why Parker joined the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective; he talks with us to mark Trans Awareness Week, which concludes this weekend – it’s followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance…
People outside Qatar are being urged to join a new LGBTQ+ fans group for the World Cup 2022 hosts’ national team – because it’s not safe for Qataris themselves to show support for Proud Maroons; “we have the chance to bring global visibility to my community,” says Dr Nas Mohamed, the world’s only out gay Qatari
Groups for LGBTQ+ people and allies who support England and Wales say FIFA’s letter asking 32 national associations and their players to focus on football at World Cup is “deeply troubling”; Pride in Football, the network of LGBTQ+ fans groups, also part of joint statement, which says ‘No Pride Without All’ is a more appropriate slogan than ‘Now is All’
Special guests Bruce Mouat, Robyn Love and Lloyd Wilson share stories from their experiences of being LGBTQ+ and out at the Olympics, Paralympics and in Scottish football respectively; Blair Hamilton, Zyra Evangelista (Rainbow Glasgaroos) and Ross Lockerbie (Glasgow Raptors) speak powerfully on grassroots panel
A podcast all about the culture of being an LGBTQ+ soccer supporter, LGBT FC has been making strides since its launch back in June; host ‘LAFCLuke’ is part of the MLS club’s Pride Republic supporters group; in this blog, he tells the story behind the pod and why he’s so passionate about building community…
Peter Tatchell posts video message saying he was “arrested and detained” by Qatari police following kerbside protest in Doha, though authorities deny this; 70-year-old was wearing #QatarAntiGay T-shirt and says he was “standing in solidarity with brave Qatari human rights defenders”; Tatchell urges FIFA to “press Qatar much harder to deliver on human rights”
Testimonies from lesbian, gay, bi and trans people experiencing persecution and prejudice within the World Cup host nation are being shared; however, influential football figures are yet to amplify their voices; theme of annual awareness day is ‘make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’
Participants encouraged to sign up now for Gay Games XI, which will be co-hosted in Latin America and Asia in November next year; only five sports – athletics, swimming, football, tennis and badminton – are set to feature in both cities, leaving some athletes with tough choices; Hong Kong says it is expecting 7,000 athletes and artists, and 25,000 spectators