Qatar fails to offer World Cup safety guarantees to LGBTQ+ fans

Qatari authorities have failed to give a guarantee to travelling LGBTQ+ supporters that they will be safe at the World Cup, prompting leading organisations to advocate against travel to the tournament.

The Guardian this week presented the Supreme Committee, the body in charge of organising the World Cup, with a series of direct questions related to LGBTQ+ fans and their concerns, but received no specific answers.

The questions included whether:

LGBTQ+ people would be protected by Qatari authorities if threatened because of their sexuality.

Articles of the Qatari penal code, including those which outlaw “leading, instigating or seducing a male in any way to commit sodomy”, would be suspended during the tournament.

Fans carrying rainbow flags would be allowed to take them into stadiums.

The Supreme Committee would specifically welcome LGBTQ+ people as World Cup visitors.

A general reply said: “Everyone will be welcome to Qatar in 2022, regardless of their race, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. We are a relatively conservative society – for example, public displays of affection are not a part of our culture. We believe in mutual respect and so whilst everyone is welcome, what we expect in return is for everyone to respect our culture and traditions.”

The Guardian approached a representative of Qatar’s government communications office with the first two of those questions and received no response.

Fears over safety have been rising amongst LGBTQ+ supporter groups as dialogue with organisers has stalled. Anne Lieberman, a founding member of the LGBTIQ Human Rights Sports Coalition, said the group had been in discussion with Qatari authorities for nearly two years but had yet to receive