FIFA World Cup 2022: Can Qatar Guarantee Safety To LGBTQ Community

The FIFA World Cup officially began in Qatar on 20 November. It is scheduled to run until 18 December. As world cup fever continues, the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender) community is hesitant to travel to Qatar.

An American journalist recently claimed that he was detained on Monday allegedly for wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBT community. Grant Wahl, a former writer for Sports Illustrated magazine, said that World Cup security asked him to take his shirt off. He also said that his phone was taken away when he wrote about the incident on Twitter.

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Ahead of the world cup, Qatar came under intense scrutiny from many Western countries over its treatment of the LGBT community and migrant workers. The senior LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), also condemned Qatar over its treatment of the LGBT community.

Can Qatar guarantee safety to LGBTQ community? The country is receiving backlash due to its treatment of the LGBT community. It is impossible for Qatar to guarantee safety to LGBT community as same-sex relationships are directly criminalised under the laws in the country. Under the constitution of Qatar, same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under Sharia law. There have also been some reports of discrimination being committed against LGBT community. Recently, Qatar FIFA World Cup ambassador and former footballer Khalid Salman said that being gay was “haram” and “damage in the mind.”

Earlier, Lise Klaveness, a judge and former national team player, said, “There is no room for hosts that cannot legally guarantee the safety and respect of LGBTQ+ people.”

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The Human Rights Watch (HRW) also warned that Qatari residents may face the risk of persecution if they stand up for the LGBT rights during the World Cup.

The country has a long way to go to solve issues of the LGBT community.