Athlete Ally and 15 LGBTQ+ Organizations Raise Concerns for LGBTQI+ people at Qatar World Cup
March 31, 2022 — Athlete Ally and 15 other LGBTQ+ organizations have issued eight action points related to concerns on LGBTQ+ rights to FIFA and local organizing bodies responsible for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
These action points include repealing laws that target LGBTQI+ people, providing explicit safety guarantees to members of the community, guaranteed right of entry to Qatar, the communication of a clear welcome and of the right to free expression and ensuring there is no censorship or ban on the discussion of LGBTQI+ issues.
“Progress has been slow, reassurances about the safety of LGBTIQ+ people and the mechanisms in place to ensure safety have not been adequate,” the letter stated. “If acknowledgement of the issues facing LGBTIQ+ people in Qatar and reassurances of safety cannot be offered, we will be forced to question if the risk facing LGBTIQ+ people wanting to attend or work at the World Cup in Qatar is too high.”
“Athlete Ally is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of LGBTQI+ people living in and traveling to Qatar for the Men’s World Cup,” said Anne Lieberman, Director of Policy and Programs at Athlete Ally. “International governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure that LGBTQI+ people are protected from discrimination at sporting events, and that bids are not awarded to sites that fail to provide this protection. No athlete, coach or fan participating in the Men’s World Cup, nor any Qatari, should be forced to hide who they are in order to protect their safety.”