The most contentious issues surrounding Qatar’s World Cup hosting include the country’s criminalization of same-sex relationships and LGBT rights for “violating public morality,” transgender Qataris can be detained without a trial or official charge.
Two transgender Qataris were interviewed by BBC News about their lives.
“I am very afraid, but I just want people to know that we do exist,” Shahd says about her decision to speak out about life as a transgender woman. Like the other person in this article, we have changed Shahd’s name to protect her.
According to BBC News, She travels away from her home to secretly video call us from a darkened room. We have been messaging her over an encrypted app for her safety.
