LGBTQ protests and support during the World Cup in Qatar

Qatar’s human rights record and treatment of LGBT people has drawn criticism from around the world.

The nation was awarded the 2022 World Cup in 2010 and allegations of corruption have surfaced since then, but the focus of late has been on its human rights record.

Here’s how fans and teams are protesting the tournament.

The law in Qatar: “Whoever has intercourse with a male over sixteen years of age without coercion, coercion or deception shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. The same penalty shall be applied to the male with his consent.” (Penal Code, Law No. 11 of 2004, Article 285): Anyone who commits the following crimes shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not more than three years: any method of committing sodomy or waste; Inciting or seducing a male or female in any way to commit illegal or immoral acts.” (Penal Code No. 11 of 2004, Article 296).

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine. In Islamic law, the death penalty for Muslims can be the death penalty, although there is no recorded event of this occurring in Qatar.

Laws in Qatar are influenced by Islamic morals, so there is no legal recognition in the country for same-sex marriages, civil marriages, or domestic partnerships.

Showing public affection in Qatar can lead to arrest.

The following rights are not recognized in Qatar:

Qatar’s laws and views on LGBT rights and issues have drawn criticism from FIFA since it awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in 2010.

It is the second World Cup in a row that LGBT football fans have to decide whether or not to travel to a country with a poor record with gay rights, after Russia in 2018. FIFA says they have received assurances from the Qatari authorities regarding the safety of the fans. althoug. Details have not been shared, giving the supporting groups little confidence in any protection during the tournament.

The official LGBTQ+ fan group in Wales will boycott the tournament as members believe it is unsafe to travel to the Middle East given the region’s human rights record.

Kick It Out has also announced the creation of a group looking into the problems of inclusion in Qatar.

Several of the countries that qualified for the tournament are planning ways to protest Qatar’s human rights record. Denmark will put messages in support of human rights on its training kit during the World Cup, wearing formerly worn T-shirts that read “Football supports change”.

Germany, the Netherlands and Norway are among other international actors that have staged similar protests in recent years.

Nasser Al-Khater, chief executive of the tournament’s organizing committee, says the matter has been treated “unfairly” since winning the hosting rights in 2010. Gay soccer player Josh Cavallo said he would be “afraid” of playing in Qatar due to anti-LGBT campaigning. But Al-Khater said he would be welcome in the country.

He said in November 2021: “On the contrary, we welcome him here in Qatar, and we welcome him to come and see even before the World Cup… Nobody feels threatened here, nobody feels unsafe.

“The idea that people do not feel safe here is incorrect. I have said this before and I am telling you again, everyone is welcome here. Everyone is welcome here and everyone will feel safe here. Qatar is a tolerant country. It is a welcoming country. It is a hospitable country.”

He added, “Qatar and the region are more modest, Qatar and the region are more conservative. This is what we ask fans to respect. We are sure that fans will respect that…. We respect different cultures and we expect other cultures to respect ours.”

In June 2022, Watchman The Supreme Committee – which organizes the World Cup – has questioned LGBT issues in Qatar including protection and the carrying of rainbow flags.

A public response to the paper stated: “Everyone is welcome to Qatar 2022, regardless of race, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. We are a relatively conservative society – for example, public displays of affection are not part of our culture. We believe With mutual respect and so while we welcome everyone, what we expect in return is that everyone respects our culture and traditions.”

A Qatari security official has since revealed the possibility of confiscating rainbows and pride flags at the World Cup as a supposed safety measure to protect supporters from any anti-LGBT people.