Being gay or transgender is never easy in various parts of the world and in Afghanistan, it is extremely challenging. But now being homosexual or trans might be deadly, according to LGBT+ Afghans who are desperate to flee their country as the Taliban are back.
However, with little practical backing from western nations and even less confidence that Islamist militants will let the LGBTQ+ community into the airport, how any evacuation might succeed is a mystery. The desperate and terrified LGBTQ people of Afghanistan says if they get little hope or support they are ready to risk their lives in an attempt to leave the country.
“Any country, but not here. Living here means nothing for us,” says a homosexual Afghan student.
Meanwhile, it's unclear where LGBT+ Afghans could be welcome to settle or whether sexuality or gender identity are automatic asylum requirements in many nations throughout the world.
Canada has promised to resettle 20,000 Afghans, notably including LGBT+ people. Canada is an example in terms of providing such clear assurance.
Apart from Canada, Irish media claims that LGBT+ people will be among the 150 Afghan refugees brought to Ireland. However, there was no such clarity in other Western democracies, such as the United States and Europe.
Also Read: UN World Food Programme Warns 1 Out Of 3 Afghans At Risk Of Acute Hunger
On the day Kabul fell, US President Joe Biden issued a letter allocating $500 million to meet “unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs of refugees, victims of conflict, and other persons at risk” in the turmoil.
On August 17, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the US will "bring vulnerable Afghans to safety" but did not specify who. When asked if this includes LGBT+ Afghans, the State Department declined to comment.
Britain has also committed to welcome up to 5,000 Afghans, with an emphasis on women, girls, religious and other minorities. But, Britain too did not mention LGBT+ Afghans.
Many European leaders are hesitant of taking any migrants, regardless of their religious or sexual preferences and some countries, like Australia, have flatly refused an influx of Afghans.