Qatar and LGBT community
2022 World Cup organizers have said gay fans will be welcome for the tournament, despite strict local laws against homosexuality.
Qatar is an Islamic country with an authoritarian system of government. Swearing, public displays of affection, and dressing immodestly are seen as offensive. Homosexual behavior is illegal. Posting material that appears to insult, slander or is culturally insensitive may also be considered a crime, according to travel advice from the UK government.
Recently, Qatar has taken the LGBT complaints seriously and has attempted to convince visitors that it is safe and tolerant, saying that gay fans can display affection during the 2022 World Cup, and the sale of alcohol at stadiums is allowed.
However, there are western LGBT fan groups who have decided to boycott the event. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and Muslims face the death penalty if prosecuted for it. Recently, veteran activist Peter Tatchell said he was arrested after he staged the country's first LGBT protest to draw attention to human rights abuses.
Arsenal Football Club's support group for LGBT fans, Gaygooners, has over 1,250 members worldwide. Carl Fearn, co-chairman of the group, said FIFA has practiced "deafening silence" on the issue.
"I think for some people dissatisfaction with FIFA's decision goes as far as the decision not to watch the World Cup on TV as a statement of principle," said Fearn.
On October 26, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly commented to the media that LGBT football fans traveling to Qatar should be "respectful of the host country". Cleverly was voicing a long-held view on diplomatic behavior among nations.
Australia
The Australian national football team, Socceroos, denounced the ill-treatment of migrant workers and the criminalization of LGBT people in Qatar. The team is due to be among the 32 nations competing at the 2022 World Cup, and they demanded an improvement on human rights in a video they produced.
"There are universal values that should define football - values such as respect, dignity, trust, and courage," the players said. "When we represent our nation, we aspire to embody these values."
The team used the term 'reform' in the video, and this is very problematic. The issue of LGBT rights runs counter to Islam. To attempt to 'reform' Islam to mirror western values would be impossible. The question is whether the west can accept that there are differences in values around the world.
Kenya president Ruti with CNN's Amanpour
On September 8, Kenya's President-elect William Ruto was interviewed by Christiane Amanpour on CNN.
Amanpour quizzed Ruto on human rights, particularly his previous comments that there was "no room" for homosexuality in Kenyan society.
"I am very clear that we respect everybody and what they believe in, but we also have what we believe in and we expect to be respected for what we believe in," said Ruto, who said he does not think that LGBTQ rights are an important topic for Kenyans.
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