The only publicly gay Qatari has set up a LGBTQ+ fan group for the Qatar national team during the World Cup to raise awareness of their persecution.
The fact homosexuality is illegal in Qatar means there are no LGBTQ+ groups in the country and no Pride celebration. By extension, there’s no LGBTQ+ fan group cheering on the men’s national team, the Maroons, as they play in their first World Cup.
England has the 3 Lions Pride group, while Wales has The Rainbow Wall, both playing on the national team’s nickname. For Qatar, it’s the Proud Maroons.
“Our community in Qatar cannot walk away from this so I ask that we stand together as The Proud Maroons, as one global LGBTQ+ community, and say love is not a crime,” says founder Dr Nas Mohamed.
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Mohamed, a doctor trained in sports medicine, came out as gay earlier this year, in a bid to raise awareness of the persecution of Qatar’s LGBTQ+ community.