Nasser Al-Khater, president of the organizing committee for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which will be played between November 21 and December 18, confirmed that “homosexuality is not allowed” in the country. He clarified that the fans of the LGTBIQ + collective “will have the right to travel to the country and attend the games,” however he emphasized that “public displays of affection are frowned upon and this applies to everyone.” What does the penal code say and what will happen during the World Cup?
“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, ”Nasser Al-Khater told reporters when asked by Josh Cavallo, the Australian who recently broke the taboo by being the first active male footballer to come out as gay. But the reality would seem to be rather far from that speech. The LGBTIQ + collective would not be welcome in the Asian country. The fans who then attend the World Cup in the emirate will not be able to make their identity visible in public spaces and those who do so could receive penalties.
“It’s all good for you to marry / But it doesn’t give you kissing in the street / It’s all good for you to marry / But no children, because they are rare,” says the Argentine band Sudor Marika in a song. The resolution of the organizing committee for the next world cup seems to go this way, although ten thousand steps back, because it is not right for them to marry or have children, according to the Qatari penal code. There is no equal marriage or equal access law for adoption.
The Qatari judicial system is based on the Shari’a, for this reason homosexual acts are punishable by more than 5 years of imprisonment. And it also points out in relation to foreigners, that in the face of acts of homosexuality, they can be deported.
LGBTIQ + collectives and organizations around the world demonstrated in networks denouncing the sayings and measures ordered by the Qatari committee. One of them was former soccer player David Beckham who, to sign the contract to be the image of the World Cup, demanded two issues that involve the LGBT community and women.
The renowned former player agreed to sign the millionaire contract with these two conditions: the first is that the rainbow flags representing the LGBT community are allowed to be displayed in all stadiums, as well as ensuring the safety of the fans of the group. On the other hand, it demands that women be allowed to enter football stadiums, a space that is forbidden for women.
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