At Pride Pakistan, we believe that empowerment begins with connection. Our membership program is designed to bring together LGBTQI+ individuals of Pakistani origin who are committed to advocacy, awareness, and collective growth. Whether you’re seeking peer support, visibility, or a platform to contribute your voice, becoming a member is a powerful step toward building a more inclusive future.
We’ve recently launched a new, streamlined membership page to make joining easier than ever: 👉 Join Us Now
What Does Membership Offer?
We offer two types of membership: General Members and Executive Members. Both are open to LGBTQI+ individuals of Pakistani origin, and both come with meaningful benefits.
🌈 General Members
General membership is ideal for individuals who want to stay connected, access support, and contribute to our mission. Benefits include:
Inclusion in email updates and discussion groups
Access to one-on-one peer support sessions by appointment
Opportunity to write and publish blogs on our website
Ability to share your work and activities on our social media (aligned with our mission)
Affiliation for organized activities
Access to membership support letters and certificates
Full access to Pride Pakistan’s LGBTQI+ resource library
💼 Executive Members
Executive membership is for those who want to take on leadership roles and actively shape our campaigns and outreach. In addition to all general member benefits, executive members receive:
Profile and bio featured on our website and social media
Ability to mentor others through peer support sessions
Organize and host virtual events and activities
Voting rights in biannual executive leadership selections
Eligibility to run for executive leadership positions after two years
Authority to post statements and represent Pride Pakistan at external events
Use of Pride Pakistan merchandise for aligned initiatives
Access to specialized support letters for volunteering, events, and scholarships
Contribution rights to our resource library and blog platform
Access to executive communication channels for collaboration and planning
Membership Benefits Comparison
Benefit
General Members
Executive Members
Emails & Discussion Groups
✔ Included
✔ Included
Peer Support (1-on-1 sessions by appointment)
✔ Access
✔ Access (can also mentor others)
Write & Share Blogs on Website
✔ Allowed
✔ Allowed + contribute opinion blogs to resources
Share Work/Activities on Social Media
✔ If aligned with PridePakistan mission
✔ Showcase of activities & profile featured
Affiliation for Organized Activities
✔ Yes
✔ Yes (can also host activities as focal person)
Membership Support Letters & Certificates
✔ Available
✔ Available + special letters for volunteering fields, events, scholarships
Access to LGBTQI+ Resources
✔ Full access
✔ Full access
Profile & Bio Featured on Website/Social Media
✘ Not included
✔ Included
Organize Online Peer Support Sessions
✘ Not included
✔ Allowed
Organize & Host Virtual Activities
✘ Not included
✔ Allowed
Voting Rights (Executive Leadership Team)
✘ Not included
✔ Eligible to vote biannually
Run for Executive Leadership Position
✘ Not included
✔ Eligible after 2 years of membership
Post Statements on Behalf of Pride Pakistan
✘ Not included
✔ Allowed
Represent Pride Pakistan at Events/Organizations
✘ Not included
✔ Allowed
Use Pride Pakistan Merchandise
✘ Not included
✔ Allowed
Executive Communication Channel
✘ Not included
✔ Full access to executive + general member channels
Leadership & Visibility Opportunities
Limited
✔ Expanded leadership and visibility
Why We Ask for a Membership Fee
Pride Pakistan is a 100% volunteer-led initiative. We do not offer salaried jobs or paid positions. Only project-based activities may be compensated for members. Your membership fee helps us cover basic costs like website hosting, secure cloud data, and outreach campaigns.
By becoming a member, you’re not just signing up — you’re standing up. You’re joining a resilient, creative, and compassionate community that’s working to uplift LGBTQI+ voices across Pakistan and the diaspora.
By becoming a member, you are helping to build a stronger, more inclusive, and supportive environment for LGBTQI+ people of Pakistani origin. Your membership fee sustains our website, social media campaigns, and secure cloud data, ensuring Pride Pakistan continues to empower and uplift our community.
For those who wish to contribute more, you are welcome to adjust the donation amount as you wish. Stripe also allows you to select monthly payments if you prefer to support us regularly. You can read more about these options on our updated Donate Section.
Join us today and be part of the movement for awareness, advocacy, and empowerment.
Important Note
By joining as a member, please understand that Pride Pakistan is not responsible for the acts of individual members. Membership is an honorary volunteer position designed to empower and encourage LGBTQI+ people of Pakistani origin.
This article is reposted with credit to DesiBlitz and Shezad’s interview on YouTube.
Shezad’s Story
Shezad, a Pakistani gay man, shared his journey of seeking asylum abroad. His story reflects the painful reality faced by many LGBTQI people in Pakistan: living under constant fear of violence, rejection from family, and the impossibility of living openly.
In his interview, Shezad describes the challenges of leaving Pakistan in search of safety and dignity. Yet even after reaching a “safe” country, asylum seekers often face new struggles—long waits in detention centers, psychological trauma, and the uncertainty of whether their applications will be accepted.
The Harsh Reality for Gay Asylum Seekers
For many gay men leaving Pakistan, the dream of a happy life abroad comes at a devastating cost:
Loss of money and resources during dangerous journeys.
Risk of death while traveling or crossing borders.
Depression and isolation in asylum centers.
Application refusals, leaving individuals in limbo or facing deportation.
Detention in prisons or psychiatric wards in countries that claim to be “safe.”
Many governments still consider Pakistan a “safe country” for bisexual and gay men if they remain discreet. This dangerous assumption ignores the reality: discretion often means living in silence, fear, and denial of identity.
Why This Matters
Shezad’s story is not unique. It represents countless gay and queer men from Pakistan who are forced to choose between survival and authenticity. Without resources or visibility, many lose their lives—whether through suicide, family violence, or systemic neglect.
At PridePakistan.org, we believe no one should have to hide their identity to stay alive. We provide support resources for:
Asylum seekers navigating complex legal systems.
Psychological support for those facing trauma.
Shelter and emergency aid for LGBTQI people in crisis.
We thank DesiBlitz and Shezad for sharing this important story. By amplifying these voices, we hope to raise awareness of the urgent need for safe spaces, advocacy, and solidarity for Pakistani gay men and the wider LGBTQI community.
👉 Read the original story on DesiBlitz and watch Shezad’s interview on YouTube.
DESIblitz retells the harrowing tale of one man’s experience as a gay asylum seeker from Pakistan. We reveal the real-life story of Shezad*.
Article 377 of The Penal Code of 1860 was first introduced by the British throughout their rule of India, criminalising all sexual acts deemed “against the order of nature.”
Whilst Indians have since celebrated this victory, Pakistan and Bangladesh still adhere to the Victorian era law where homosexual acts can be punishable by prison sentences.
For those Pakistanis who cannot survive the law and restrictions, the only way out for them is to seek asylum and seek refuge in another country. Especially, if they are found out or get in trouble with the authorities.
We follow one such story of Shezad Ahmed*, a gay asylum seeker who fled Pakistan to the UK to help him openly accept his sexuality.
Asylum Claims in the UK
Based on experimental statistics, 6% of all asylum claims from 1 July 2015 and 31 March 2017 were on the basis of sexual orientation.
The highest number of asylum claims where sexual orientation was raised as part of the basis of the claim came from Pakistan – where 1,000 claims were made.
Even so, very few asylum claims on the basis of sexuality are accepted in the UK.
Gay asylum seekers form a minority within a minority, making them susceptible to prejudice and discrimination on more than one ground.
On the one hand, they are ostracised for their sexuality. On the other, they are condemned by nationals for their unfamiliar origins.
A community virtually unheard of in the mainstream media, DESIblitz delves more into this stigmatised area of life.
We come face to face with Shezad, who shares his tumultuous journey as a gay asylum seeker from Pakistan.
Painful Beginnings
Shezad’s story begins in Peshawar, Pakistan. He was born into a working-class family and grew up in a poverty-stricken home, with a drug addict for a father.
He was forcibly removed out of education at the tender age of 11 to enter the world of manual labour.
After spending time away from home, he recalls a harrowing encounter with a friend of his uncle which he believes was a turning point in his life.
Shezad, tentatively, says:
“What I’m about to tell you I don’t even think I’ve told immigration.
“I was about 13 or 14 … I woke up in the middle of the night. I don’t remember the time. I don’t know what happened exactly, but when I looked down I had no trousers on.
“Whatever happened after that, all I know is that I had become obsessed with sex. I tried to have sex with objects, anything I could.”
From this point onward, he adopted a strong sense of fear in his daily life regarding his sexuality, something he would have to keep a secret in order to survive.
His first relationship with a man developed with a fellow colleague, soon after establishing his own business.
Though he strove to live his own life freely, it wasn’t long before family pressures began to consume him. Especially, expectations around marriage.
At around 30 years of age, he married his first cousin at the behest of his mother.
Though he delayed the marriage for as long as he could, Shezad had little choice in the matter. The decision for him to marry his cousin was made even before he was born.
After spending some time with his wife in Pakistan, he later moved to Saudi Arabia, where life got no easier.
“I was scared. If the authorities found out [about my sexuality] they would behead me.”
Aside from strict Saudi laws, the citizens also gave Shezad a hard time, in particular when he was attacked in a brutal hate crime. Regardless, he still masked the truth in fear of his own life.
“I was so scared of the authorities that I didn’t say anything. So, I just said that I had an accident.
After enduring several years of hardship in Saudi Arabia, he returned to his motherland, where he continued living his loveless marriage and engaged in another relationship with a man for a number of years.
As his mental health began to deteriorate and he knew he had to get away from the life he was living.
He decided to come to England in search of a better and more acceptable life.
“I always thought I’d earn enough money to leave Pakistan. It was always my thought process.
“I knew my whole life I couldn’t live in Pakistan but I had no means to get out. When I found a way, I came here.”
Unfortunately, Shezad faced difficulties even in the UK after fleeing Pakistan.
He found himself homeless on several occasions; often having to sleep outside, in the car, or seeking refuge in a friend’s house if he was ever granted the opportunity.
Whilst he was informed of LGBT support groups by his lawyer, he found it difficult to relate to others. His inability to speak English formed a barrier with locals, and he was afraid to confide in other South Asians in fear of judgement.
‘Proving’ his Homosexuality
Shezad had the misfortune of meeting people who could not accept him as a part of their social circle.
“I finally started going to meetings, but even so, I felt very alone.
“My problem is that I can’t share my pain with anyone. I’d rather put myself through pain than put others through pain.”
Even within the LGBT community, he bore the brunt of prejudice and discrimination.
“When I went to LGBT meetings, some people wouldn’t talk to me, some wouldn’t shake my hand.”
“They’d say it was because I was an asylum seeker, or I was Pakistani, or they didn’t believe I was gay.
“Many people do this to me. They don’t like me, they get angry at me. I can’t tell if it’s because there’s something wrong with me. Am I lacking something?”
Fortunately, Shezad managed to gain a support system around him, in particular, from his doctor.
“There is no person better than my doctor. He looked after me, he helped me. I feel better talking to Asians about being gay now.
“My doctor knew everything about me and still helped me with everything.”
Like many gay asylum seekers, Shezad found it difficult to ‘prove’ his sexuality to the authorities, which is often a requirement in UK law.
“If this [being gay] was a medical situation it would be so much easier. But it’s not. It’s a feeling.”
Gay asylum seekers were often subjected to ‘homosexuality tests,’ a series of psychological tests to ‘prove’ their sexuality.
However, in January 2018, these were outlawed after being deemed a violation of human rights by The European Court of Justice.
Family and Community Reactions
Despite fathering three children, which does question Shezad’s sexuality as to whether he is bi-sexual or homosexual; he strongly condemns the idea of living with them.
Speaking about how they would react to his orientation, he says:
“I don’t want my children to live with me. They would have a difficult life and so would I.
“Maybe you can accept this but in Pakistan, they can’t. When they grow up, how will they accept that their father is gay?
“I want to help them with all their worldly needs, but it’s not suitable for us to live together.
“Nor my wife, nor anyone else in Pakistan knows that I’m gay. If anyone found out I wouldn’t have been able to come here. How would I? I would have died already.
“There was one guy in my village whose penis, nose, ears and tongue were chopped off. That was his punishment for being gay.
“You can hit someone, but to chop off their body parts? That’s too much.
“If anyone in my family knew I was gay, they’d want to end me.”
“Gay means to be happy. But I’ve never felt any sense of happiness from being gay. I’ve been punishing myself. I have no power to change how I feel. What you are, you are.”
Accepting his Sexuality
Despite the numerous hardships, Shezad confidently states that he would much rather live in England than in Pakistan.
“I had no option. I couldn’t live there, even though I had a home, everything. I wasn’t happy. I couldn’t handle it.
When asked if he feels happy, Shezad humbly responds:
“Yes, I am happy. I have friends around me. How can I not say I’m happy when I can sit among three people and openly tell them I’m gay? That is happiness for me.”
Accepting his own sexuality has been a major challenge for Shezad as he explains:
“I tried to change this about myself. I’ve tried so hard. I punished myself as well as enduring other peoples’ punishments.
“I’m strong. But when it comes to being gay I become so weak.
“Eventually I said to myself, ‘Okay, I’m gay.’ No one can do anything about it.”
As a concluding statement, Shezad bravely requests:
“I just want people to understand that gay is gay. You can’t do anything about it. That is all.”
People like Shezad are not alone. 20% of Pakistani asylum claims were made on the basis of sexual orientation between July 2015 and March 2017.
Many gay asylum seekers find themselves shunned by society, with little to no support from those around them. Yet, those like Shezad continue to show courage in the face of adversity.
Until security is guaranteed, gay asylum seekers will continue in their tireless pursuit of a safe haven.
In situations where a life is at stake, the situation becomes very dangerous for individuals like Shezad who try to fit in but find it difficult even in the country they are born due to their sexual oreintation.
If you or anyone you know is personally affected by Shezad’s story, please do not hesitate to contact the following organisations:
This article is reposted with credit to Metro Weekly. Please visit their website to read the full original profile.
A Celebrity Forced Into Exile
Ali Saleem, famously known as “The Queen of Karachi,” rose to prominence as a bold, queer performer in Pakistan. Despite his celebrity status, wealthy background, and family ties to the military elite, Saleem was forced to leave Pakistan simply to stay alive. His story, as profiled by Metro Weekly, reflects the precarious reality of being openly queer in a country where visibility often comes at the cost of safety.
Article:
In the nearly inexhaustible catalog of D.C.-based mission-driven organizations, AsylumWorks is a noble entry for assisting asylum seekers and other “newcomers” in the D.C. metro area and beyond.
Their LGBTQ component, PRISM (Pride Refugee & Immigrant Support Meet-up), grew out of similar work being done by a group at The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, Center Global. And atop PRISM’s Facebook page is a photo from the 2022 Capital Pride Parade. There are many beaming faces, including Ali Saleem’s, front and center.
Front and center suits Saleem perfectly. He’s not merely at home in the spotlight. Arguably, he was born for it, 45 years ago in Pakistan. There, Saleem reached the most dazzling heights of celebrity, through a journey that began in his mother’s closet.
“I was completely in awe of all the gorgeous women, all the divas,” says Saleem, reaching back to childhood. “We had a lot of Indian movies — ‘Bollywood,’ as you call it…. And then I fell in love with Benazir [Bhutto] when I was 9 years old and she became prime minister of Pakistan for the first time. This beautiful woman with flawless skin and red lipstick who wears the dupatta over her head — so elegant and so graceful. I wanted to be like these divas.”
Young Ali did just that when his Army officer father and government official mother had evenings out, diving into his mother’s wardrobe and cosmetics. Occasionally, his parents arrived home to find him reveling in the transformation. In some families, this might have prompted severe punishment. Saleem says his parents never offered more than a mild scolding.
As his schooling progressed and Saleem found himself drawn to dramatic arts, opportunities arose to perform. Eventually, he even had a chance to remake himself as his favorite diva, the aforementioned Prime Minister Bhutto.
“I walked onstage as Benazir Bhutto, but in a burqa,” Saleem recalls of a performance with a sketch-comedy troupe very early in his career. “We had the prime minister of Pakistan at the time, Shaukat Aziz, sitting in the audience. These were very high-priced tickets, a very elite audience, the ‘who’s who’ of Pakistan political society and celebrities.
“When I finished my opening dialogue, there was pin-drop silence. And then there was just an uproar! People were bursting with laughter and falling out of their chairs. There was this cheer. I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, to be an entertainer.”
With Benazir Bhutto as his muse, in a sense, that is what Saleem did. For a time, he would continue this impersonation, this homage, as his star rose ever higher in Pakistani high society. He even brought his Bhutto likeness to national television audiences, while outwardly embracing an androgynous style for themself.
If Bhutto had twice been Pakistan’s prime minister, Saleem was to become its queen — “I was the queen of Karachi for sure, Honey!” — as an entirely new persona, Begum Nawazish Ali. READ THIS STORY IN THE MAGAZINE
It was 2004, says Saleem, that a film-industry friend suggested that he break away from the Bhutto box. “‘You need to be your own self. I see a diva in you!’” is how Saleem remembers the guidance. “That conversation was so powerful for me.”
The friend assigned a new persona, with “Begum” being a sort of amorphous word in Urdu, that might mean “princess” or “lady” or, in Saleem’s case, a wife of high-ranking social status. “Nawazish” came from a popular song, where it was used to express gratitude. And Ali is simply pure Saleem.
Working as an associate producer for a Pakistani TV station, Saleem wrote up a proposal for a talk show to be hosted by this new persona. While there was immediate interest from colleagues, Saleem says his project languished until a newly formed competing network got wind of it. Saleem’s Late Night with Begum Nawazish Ali was launched, Aug. 13, 2005.
“Oh, my God. It was unbelievable,” says Saleem, his voice cracking slightly. “I’m getting emotional just talking about it. It was as if God and the entire universe was suddenly answering my prayers…. My first episode, I was able to get Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who was the acting chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party. And Reema, who was the No. 1 film actress…. It was the most talked about show in Pakistan.”
Shah Yasir, a Pakistani screenwriter who lives in the D.C. area, shares his sense of what it was like in Pakistan at the time, watching Saleem’s celebrity blossom.
“I remember first hearing about a boy who could impersonate former Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto when I was in high school in Karachi,” Shah says. “I even got to see them give an impromptu performance of that impersonation at a friend’s party shortly before I left for college in the States. After that, I watched them rise quickly to fame as a female-impersonating talk show host on Pakistani TV.
“Begum Nawazish Ali was a hit among countless families who not only accepted, but also adored, a drag queen…. I think it’s also noteworthy how drag queens reading storybooks is still a topic of such vitriol and controversy in the States in 2024, when in Pakistan a drag queen talk show was not only accepted but in fact a huge hit among millions of households back in the early 2000s.”
As the U.S. has, in ways, taken conservative turns, so has Pakistan. Saleem says that while audiences across the social strata were adoring, work trips to India were sparking some interest from shady corners of government. Saleem says he wasn’t particularly cooperative with requests from government agents — requests, says Saleem, that went so far as to demand he arrange liaisons between female celebrities he knew and government officials.
While he had other professional projects in the works, his show was canceled. He later launched another talk show, simply as himself, The Late Late Show with Ali Saleem, but that, too, ended. At the same time, he says, a mood hostile to his brand of entertainment was growing.
“There’s always the right wing, the self-righteous people who hate you for who you are,” Saleem bluntly observes. “As my fan base was increasing, so were the people who were against what I represented. For them, I was becoming a bigger and bigger threat. ‘Is this what the Islamic Republic of Pakistan stands for? Is this a role model for our boys? This needs to be stopped.’
Saleem says his focus on work, the whirlwind of parties, made it easy for him not to notice how the political environment was turning for the worse. Until his best friend, Sheikh Amir Hassan, was murdered in 2008. Hassan had been at Saleem’s home for a party, returning to his own residence in the early hours. Later that morning, Saleem received word that Hassan had been shot in his home. Hassan’s murder was sensationalized, with a variety of outlets victim-blaming, with Saleem’s own lifestyle becoming fair game in the press.
As the atmosphere continued to change, Saleem says he was later advised by authorities that someone related to the Taliban had been arrested with suicide-bomb equipment. It was not lost on Saleem that in 2007 a suicide bomber assassinated his beloved Benazir Bhutto.
“During interrogation, he revealed the names of celebrities that the Taliban were going to target,” Saleem says. “My name was on top of the list, of course, No. 1.”
The heyday had ended. The curtain fell. Saleem no longer felt safe. With close friends in the D.C. area, he made his escape. Since 2019, Washington has been his safe haven. Thanks to his contacts, he’s happily serving drinks at the beloved Dupont-area gay bar Larry’s Lounge. His mother recently came for a visit from Pakistan, her first since he arrived in the U.S. Saleem is building community with PRISM and others, volunteering for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, though he is a nonvoting resident.
While the Pakistan party has ended, Saleem seems nonetheless very content with the new life he has built. Certainly, Saleem has staked a claim as one of the many local residents who bring some invaluable piece of the LGBTQ world to Washington. Among the area’s South Asian diaspora, Begum Nawazish Ali makes clear from time to time that she’s not retired, performing at private gatherings. She also hints that she might even break out the finery for World Pride.
“I would love to march as Begum, that is my plan,” Saleem shares, excited for the Queer world to come to D.C. en masse. “We are international. That’s why we have the rainbow. Despite our racial differences or cultural differences, or nationalities and all of that, we come together and unite as one people because we all want to see this world becoming more accepting, more tolerant, more loving, more generous.”
This profile is part of an exclusive Metro Weekly series leading up to World Pride 2025, highlighting the global reach of D.C.-based organizations, activists, artists, and others.
The Broader Reality for Gay Men in Pakistan
While Saleem’s fame gave him some protection and eventual escape, countless gay and queer men in Pakistan face similar threats without resources or international networks. Many endure:
Torture and harassment from authorities and vigilantes.
Death threats from family members or society at large.
Isolation and despair, leading some to suicide when no safe options remain.
These stories rarely make headlines, but they represent the daily reality of marginalized gay men across the country.
Why This Matters
Ali Saleem’s journey is not just about one individual—it is a symbol of resilience and survival against systemic oppression. His exile underscores the urgent need for:
Safe spaces where gay men can live authentically without fear.
Access to resources for those facing violence or contemplating escape.
Solidarity and advocacy to challenge stigma and demand justice.
At PridePakistan.org, we honor Ali Saleem’s courage and stand with all gay and queer men in Pakistan who continue to resist oppression. We thank Metro Weekly for amplifying his story and remind our community that every voice matters in the fight for dignity, equality, and survival.
This article explores the vital conversation around being both Muslim and LGBTQI, focusing on the essential Islamic principle of compassion and the universal love of Allah for all His creatures.
On our journey to promote understanding and coexistence, it is imperative to open a discussion that acknowledges the diverse experiences within the global Muslim community. The core message of our faith calls us towards mercy and acceptance, reinforcing the profound truth that Allah loves all his creatures, including gay people.
The Interesting Debate on BBC and Diverse Islamic Perspectives
The complexity of this issue was recently highlighted in an interesting debate on BBC news , featuring a conversation between two influential perspectives.
We delve into the vital discussion sparked by a powerful conversation on The Victoria Derbyshire Programme, featuring Asif Quraishi (gay and Muslim) and Imam Ajmal Masroor.
The central debate—captured by the quote “I believe you can be both gay and Muslim”—explores the diverse interpretations within our faith. Asif Quraishi argues for the Quran’s openness, while Imam Ajmal Masroor stresses the Islamic imperative for tolerance and acceptance for all people, even amidst theological disagreement.
Read our piece on why this dialogue is essential to combat internalized homophobia—the deep self-hatred fostered by strict conservative Muslim societies. We explore the painful connection made in the debate to the Orlando tragedy, highlighting the extreme consequences of forcing faith and identity into conflict.
One participant, a gay Muslim, argued passionately that the text of the Quran is open, suggesting that a contemporary reading allows for the full acceptance of the gay community within Islam. This perspective calls for looking beyond historical interpretations to embrace the spirit of justice, love, and inclusion inherent in the divine message.
The contrasting view, presented by an Imam, maintained the traditional stance that the Quran prohibits homosexuality. However, critically, the Imam also stressed the importance for Muslims to practice tolerance and acceptance, emphasizing that people of different opinions and lifestyles—including gay people—must be allowed to live with dignity and respect within the community. This balanced view highlights that even within theological disagreement, the fundamental Islamic value of coexistence remains paramount.
Internalized Homophobia: A Call for Open Dialogue
The consensus from such discussions points to the vital need to talk openly about being gay and Muslim at all level. This dialogue is crucial to combat a pervasive psychological damage known as internalised homophobia.
When some conservative muslim societies make this discussion so strict, it can force gay Muslims into silence and profound internal conflict. Being even as gay, they are taught by their environment to hate themselves, leading to a dangerous psychological state where they start to hate themselves and society. This internalised hatred, which stems directly from rigid religious and societal policing, prevents individuals from reconciling their faith with their identity.
The continuous, open discussion is therefore not just a matter of social inclusion, but a critical imperative for mental and spiritual health, ensuring that faith remains a source of comfort and not a tool for self-hatred.
The Tragedy of Orlando: A Consequence of Internalized Conflict
The devastating incident of the Orlando gay club shooting was mentioned in the debate as a stark example of the potential consequences of this internal conflict. The tragic statement suggested that the person who committed the atrocity was probably suffering from internalised homophobia, even himself being gay.
While we can never fully know the motivations behind such acts, this perspective serves as a powerful warning: the societal refusal to accept gay Muslims does not eliminate their existence; it merely forces them underground, fostering shame and potentially explosive psychological distress. This underscores why promoting acceptance and coexistence is essential, not only for the well-being of LGBTQI Muslims but for the safety and spiritual health of the entire community.
At PridePakistan.org, we believe in a merciful Islam—an Islam where the love of Allah encompasses all, and where every creature is welcomed into the fold of the community with tolerance, acceptance, and compassion. The dialogue must continue.
This article is reposted with credit to APCOM. We encourage readers to visit their website for the original publication.
Rising Hate and Violence Across Asia-Pacific
APCOM’s recent report highlights how LGBTQI communities across Asia-Pacific are facing increased hate, violence, and shrinking civic spaces. In Pakistan, gay men remain among the most marginalized. They are often invisible in public discourse, excluded from policy protections, and targeted by both state and family violence.
While community safe spaces provide vital support through HIV/AIDS awareness, psychosocial assistance, and mental health guidance, gay men in particular struggle to access these resources due to fear of exposure, harassment, and stigma.
Gay Men in Pakistan: The Most Marginalised
Gay couples in Pakistan endure:
Discrimination in workplaces, schools, and healthcare.
Stigma that isolates them from family and community.
Threats of violence and even death from the state or relatives.
Unlike transgender communities who have gained some legal recognition, gay men remain largely erased from public policy and advocacy. Their relationships are criminalized, their identities silenced, and their safety constantly under threat.
Similar Patterns in Indonesia
In Indonesia, gay men face growing hostility fueled by conservative religious and political movements. Reports show:
Criminalization of same-sex relations under local bylaws.
Police raids and harassment targeting gay gatherings.
Public stigma and violence, often justified under “morality” campaigns.
These patterns mirror the shrinking space for gay rights seen in Pakistan, where safe spaces are under constant threat.
Similar Patterns in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, the situation is even more dire:
Under Taliban rule, same-sex relationships are punishable by death.
Gay men live in extreme fear, often forced into hiding or fleeing the country.
Families themselves may perpetrate violence, seeing gay identity as dishonor.
This reflects the harshest form of state and societal violence, echoing APCOM’s warning that LGBTQI equality and justice remain on “shaky grounds” across the region.
Why This Matters for Pakistan
For Pakistan’s gay community, these regional parallels are a reminder that:
Discrimination and stigma are not isolated but part of a wider regional trend.
Solidarity across borders is essential to resist oppression.
Safe spaces and advocacy must be protected and expanded, even under threat.
At PridePakistan.org, we stand with APCOM and gay communities across Asia-Pacific in demanding equality, freedom, and justice. Hate and violence cannot silence love, dignity, and resilience.
Finding safe shelter in Pakistan as an LGBTQI person is hard. There is currently no dedicated, funded shelter system for gay men and queer people, and mainstream services can be unsafe or inaccessible. PridePakistan.org is a volunteer-led team without direct funding; we cannot provide shelter or temporary housing ourselves. We focus on connecting you to information, peer support, and publicly available services that may offer short-term safety.
Many transgender-focused initiatives exist and, when in immediate danger, some LGBTQI people may seek short-term refuge in those spaces without disclosing sexual orientation. Use caution and share only what’s necessary for your safety
Reality check: There is no dedicated gay shelter network in Pakistan; services are extremely limited and uneven across cities .
Safety notes before you go
Share minimally: If you seek refuge in transgender-focused spaces, avoid disclosing sexual orientation unless strictly necessary. Focus on immediate needs (safety, food, sleep).
Document incidents: If fleeing violence (family or partner), write down dates, locations, and witnesses. Keep photos or messages secure and backed up offline.
Plan exits: Identify two exit routes and a trusted contact who knows your whereabouts. Avoid carrying items that could expose LGBTQI identity in hostile settings.
Use neutral language: When asked about circumstances, say you are “fleeing domestic/family conflict or threats” rather than specifying LGBTQI unless safe.
Trans-led and general shelter leads
These are starting points. Availability changes quickly; call or message first, and use caution when approaching any facility.
Islamabad
Transgender Shelter Home (TRCP): Lists free accommodation, food, legal aid, psychological counseling, and medical facilities; capacity around 15. Confirm location and intake process transpk.org.
Khawaja Sira Shelter Home & Community Centre (TRCP): Similar services and empowerment programs; contact to verify access and current address transpk.org.
Tahaffuz Darsgah (Islamabad expansion): Media reports indicate a transgender welfare shelter launching in Islamabad, in partnership with Islamabad Police and UKCAB. Seek updated contacts via UKCAB/Tahaffuz pages and local media dawn.com.
Tahaffuz Darsgah main site: Contact page and landline listed; inquire about Islamabad branch timelines and referrals tahaffuzdarsgah.edu.pk.
More info: Project details and media coverage zahidbhatti.com.
Old-age home for trans community (reported): Media reports on trans-focused facilities in Lahore; check local social welfare updates for current status pridepakistan.org.
Karachi
Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA): Community-led organization; can advise on emergency options and referrals in Karachi. Use caution and verify current services ngobase.orgrightsinexile.org.
Directory listing (NGO Base): GIA appears in Karachi LGBT rights/welfare NGOs ngobase.org.
Sub Rang Society: Listed in Karachi as working on LGBT rights and welfare; contact to verify services/referrals ngobase.org.
Peshawar
Transgender protection centre (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Social Welfare Department): Reports indicate a protection centre providing shelter and food for trans persons; inquire locally about current access and criteria The Nation.
Rawalpindi
Saba Homes (orphan/shelter services): General shelter services for vulnerable groups listed in directories; limited suitability, but might provide referrals in emergencies ngobase.org.
Faisalabad
Edhi Centre (general emergency shelter): Edhi centres often provide short-term refuge; call the local centre first to check policies and safety Lookup.pk.
Multan
Tahaffuz Markaz (services trend report): Academic analysis highlights service support for transgender complainants; contact district Social Welfare for current shelter options and referrals advancelrf.org.
General tips: Seek neutral, general shelters for immediate overnight safety; disclose minimally.
Bahawalpur
Daykh Bhal Development Organization (shelter homes): Listed as working on shelter and homelessness; verify inclusivity and safety before approaching ngobase.org.
Hyderabad (Sindh)
Local welfare and community centres: No verified LGBTQI shelters; ask trusted community groups for safe contacts. Be cautious of online claims. No direct source.
Sukkur
Local general shelters: Use district Social Welfare office listings to locate any short-term accommodation; confirm in advance. No direct source.
Quetta
Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal facilities: Directory listings show general shelters; approach with caution and minimal disclosure Lookup.pk.
Gilgit
NGO directories: No verified LGBTQI shelters; ask trusted community groups for safe contacts. Be cautious of online claims. No direct source. Vulnerable groups NGO lists may help locate general shelters or referrals; availability varies ngobase.org.
Many entries come from NGO directories and media reports; always confirm current status, capacity, and safety before travel or disclosure ngobase.orgLookup.pkngobase.orgdawn.com.
What PridePakistan.org can do
Peer support: Members can join PridePakistan.org’s peer support group for community and guidance. Fill out our membership form to access moderated spaces and updates pridepakistan.org.
Information and referrals: We share reliable information from public sources and connect you to community-led support. We cannot fund housing or provide physical shelter pridepakistan.org.
Using shelters safely
Approach discreetly: Dress neutrally; avoid carrying items that could out you. Use a cover story focused on safety (domestic conflict, threats).
Go with a buddy: If possible, travel with a trusted friend. Share your live location with someone you trust.
Limit personal data: Provide only required ID. Avoid signing documents you don’t understand.
Exit plan: Know how to leave if you feel unsafe; keep emergency cash separate.
Important disclaimer
PridePakistan.org is a volunteer-led platform and does not operate shelters or provide direct housing support. We curate information to help you find safer options and peer support. Always verify the safety, capacity, and policies of any shelter before sharing sensitive information pridepakistan.org.
Report an Incident
If you have used any of these services and faced discrimination or been refused help because of your identity, please let us know. We document these cases to fight for better protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in Pakistan.
Living as an LGBTQI person in Pakistan can be isolating and dangerous. Many queer individuals feel alone, unable to share their identity with family or society. Yet, finding friends and partners who understand you is essential for mental health, emotional resilience, and a better life.
Many LGBTQI couples in Pakistan live together in hiding, and some who had the resources have traveled abroad and married. Building friendships and peer support networks is not just about romance — it’s about survival, joy, and solidarity.
🚫 Risks on Dating Platforms in Pakistan
Due to censorship and surveillance, most LGBTQI websites and dating apps are blocked in Pakistan. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and other security bodies have used honey traps on blocked gay dating apps accessed via VPNs and proxies.
Now, even VPNs and proxies are being blocked, making access more dangerous. Homophobic gangs and individuals also use these apps to target LGBTQI people, leading to blackmail, extortion, and in some tragic cases, murder. Victims often cannot go to the police due to fear of further persecution.
📱 Apps You Can Use to Connect
Despite restrictions, many people still use general messaging and social media apps to find LGBTQI friends
We understand how hard it is to find safe spaces. That’s why PridePakistan.org offers a peer support group for LGBTQI individuals in Pakistan. You can:
Join private group chats
Attend virtual meetups
Share your story anonymously
Find friends and mentors
To join, please fill out our membership form. We protect your privacy and never share your data.
You are not alone. There are thousands of LGBTQI people in Pakistan who are looking for connection, friendship, and love. Building community is an act of courage and healing. Whether you’re seeking a friend, a partner, or just someone to talk to — you deserve safety, joy, and support.
🛡️ Safety Tips for Online Connection
If you choose to connect online:
Never share personal details (address, workplace, ID) until trust is built.
Use encrypted messaging apps and avoid apps that require location sharing.
Meet in public places if you decide to meet someone.
Avoid using VPNs or proxies unless you are confident in their safety.
Report suspicious behavior to trusted community groups.
Report an Incident
If you have used any of these services and faced discrimination or been refused help because of your identity, please let us know. We document these cases to fight for better protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in Pakistan.
Asylum is a form of international protection granted by a country to people who have fled their home due to persecution, violence, or serious harm. It allows them to remain safely in another country and protects them from being sent back to danger UNHCResplawyers.com.
Key elements of asylum include:
Protection from return (non-refoulement)
Permission to stay in the host country
Access to basic rights and humane treatment
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible for asylum if you have a well‑founded fear of persecution based on:
Race or ethnicity
Religion or belief
Nationality
Political opinion
Membership in a particular social group (including LGBTQI identity)UNHCResplawyers.com
However, due to changing anti‑immigrant policies worldwide, many people who meet these criteria are still denied asylum. This makes professional legal advice essential.
Important Clarification
You cannot apply for asylum while in Pakistan. Asylum applications are only possible once you are physically present in another country where you seek protection UNHCR.
If you are considering asylum, contact qualified lawyers or refugee support organisations immediately after arriving in a country of asylum.
Global Organisations & Resources
Here are trusted organisations and official pages offering guidance on asylum applications in different countries:
Pakistan does not provide asylum, and many Afghan refugees are currently being deported back to Afghanistan, where LGBTQI people face extreme persecution.
If you are Afghan and LGBTQI:
Seek immediate contact with international organisations once outside Afghanistan or Pakistan.
ORAM Refugee provides global protection and advocacy for LGBTQI asylum seekers.
Stonewall SAFAR Programme offers emergency support and resettlement guidance for LGBTQI people from Afghanistan.
Final Reminder
Always seek professional legal advice once you are in a country where asylum is possible.
Do not delay your application—waiting can reduce your chances of success.
Stay informed through trusted NGOs and UNHCR resources.
🚨 Risks & Safeguards
Changing anti‑immigrant stances: Many governments are tightening asylum rules, making professional legal advice essential.
Documentation: Applicants must provide as much evidence as possible (testimonies, documents, proof of persecution).
Legal support: NGOs and refugee councils often provide free or low‑cost legal assistance to strengthen applications.
Report an Incident
If you have used any of these services and faced discrimination or been refused help because of your identity, please let us know. We document these cases to fight for better protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in Pakistan.
This article is reposted with credit to Rainbow Migration UK. We encourage you to read the original story in full on their website.
My name is Murtaza* and I am a gay man from Pakistan. My boyfriend Ali* and I were in a relationship for 7 years before we left Pakistan. We always wanted to live as a couple, but it was never possible there. Before we left, I was the director of my own company where he worked as a manager. We were able to travel to different countries for business, but also spend quality time together which was only possible abroad.
When his extended family found out he was travelling with me, they became very suspicious. After we came back from a long trip, they started questioning why I was spending so much money and giving these opportunities to my boyfriend but not any of the other managers. They started harming Ali and his family.
When I had a chance to come to the UK for a meeting a few months later, I wanted to take Ali with me as usual. His family stopped him and told him that people were talking about us and it would give a bad impression for him to go with me. Ali didn’t listen to them and told them he was going with a different director instead. When we were in the UK, his family found out that he lied and he was here with me, his boyfriend. They started threatening us, saying “If you come back, we will not spare you. We will kill you. We’ll make an example of you because you are giving a bad name to the family, the country and the religion.”
“When we were in the UK, his family found out that he lied and he was here with me, his boyfriend. They started threatening us, saying “If you come back, we will not spare you. We will kill you.””
I had already known about Rainbow Migration because I used to search online for organisations who may be able to help, even when I was still in Pakistan. When we started receiving the threats and knew that we could not go back to Pakistan, I emailed Rainbow Migration for information and they replied straight away. Within a couple of hours, Ayesha [Rainbow Migration Legal Services Manager] called me and guided me through the entire process, what’s going to happen and how to apply for asylum if we’re in fear of persecution, and encouraged us to apply if we think our life is in danger. We followed her advice exactly and called the Home Office, who arranged the initial interview after 3-4 days.
My boyfriend had a substantive interview just over a year after we first claimed asylum, while I had to wait about 18 months. We were both granted status shortly after the interviews. We had a lot of evidence because we had already been in a relationship for 7 years by the time we applied for asylum. We had pictures together throughout our relationship, back in Pakistan and in different countries, and evidence that we travelled together. Since coming to the UK, we have been living together. We were out and always looked after each other.
It was very frustrating having to prove my sexuality. In the final interview, the immigration officer asked my why it’s important for me to live as gay. I asked her why it’s important for her or anyone else to live as straight. If it’s important for a straight couple to live openly, then it’s our right to live as an open couple as well. These questions should not be there in the first place – they would never ask a straight person this.
Rainbow Migration was very helpful because they referred us to pro bono lawyers. Ayesha kept following everything that was happening, and Zehrah was very nice and helpful as well. She used to run the online Asylum Advice Sessions and reply to my emails. I had a very good experience with Rainbow Migration. If Rainbow Migration was not there, [getting refugee status] would not have been possible in our case.
Before Rainbow Migration referred us to pro bono lawyers, I spoke to a couple of lawyers but they were not interested in the case. They were only after money. The only people who were willing to help were asking for £7,000 which we could not afford, and it was very hard to find legal aid. I left everything back in Pakistan, I had no money and we were only surviving because our family and friends were supporting us for basic necessities.
“It was very frustrating having to prove my sexuality. In the final interview, the immigration officer asked my why it’s important for me to live as gay. I asked her why it’s important for her or anyone else to live as straight.”
It was very frustrating waiting over a year while we were not allowed to work. We are really lucky that we had some savings and family and friends who supported us, so we did not live in government accommodation. I’m very grateful to them for helping us, but I feel guilty that they had to spend the money. I had no other choice. People seeking asylum should be given decisions faster and allowed to work and support themselves. Many people don’t come from wealthy backgrounds and don’t have people to support them, so they have to survive off less than £200 a month, which is not enough to do anything.
It’s really frustrating to hear the comments about people seeking asylum. People come here for protection, when they are not safe in their countries. Personally, I had a very well-off life in Pakistan, and we only came to the UK to live as a couple. I didn’t even tell anyone here was seeking asylum. I’m sure many others are in the same situation.
Now that I have refugee status, I am doing some online work and my partner is learning English and working as a delivery driver. I have a lot of experience but I have not been able to find a job yet, as everywhere I apply says I am overqualified or I need experience in the UK. The other difficulty that we are facing is that we are limited in the countries we can travel to, and their different rules for people with travel documents than passports.
I’m glad that I’m in a safer environment and that Ali and I can live as a couple – that’s the most important thing. Still, even though it’s very safe here, I still see that some people are unhappy or annoyed when they see us together, but not when they see straight couples. We came all this way, but if there are a lot of people, I hesitate to show affection to my boyfriend. I hope that will change soon.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the interviewee and his partner.
Stigma that isolates them from community and family.
Threats of violence, including harassment, assault, and in extreme cases, death at the hands of the state or family members.
These realities make stories like Murtaza’s resonate deeply with our community. They remind us of the urgent need for safe spaces, advocacy, and solidarity.
At PridePakistan.org, we stand with those who continue to resist oppression and fight for dignity. We thank Rainbow Migration UK for sharing Murtaza’s story and for their ongoing work supporting LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers.
Every November, the world pauses to honor the lives of transgender people lost to violence and hatred. The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), observed on November 20, is not only a day of mourning but also a call to action. It reminds us that visibility, advocacy, and solidarity are essential for survival.
This year, during Transgender Awareness Week, Pride Pakistan joins the global community in remembering those we have lost and recommitting ourselves to the fight for dignity and equality.
🌈 Shanoun Sharukh’s Message of Solidarity
One of our community members, Shanoun Sharukh, shared a heartfelt video message:
“We remember the transgender people who lost their lives in Pakistan and continue to face violence every day. As a community, Pride Pakistan will never stop our efforts for transgender rights. We stand together, and we will not be silenced.”
Shanoun’s words reflect the resilience of our community, even in the face of systemic oppression.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 150 transgender individuals have been killed in the past five years, yet only one perpetrator has been convicted The Express Tribunehumenglish.com.
Police records show 267 cases of violence against transgender persons between 2019 and 2023 in KPK, with conviction rates near zero The Express Tribune.
Nationally, reports highlight that transgender people face daily harassment, extortion, and denial of basic rights such as education and healthcare OHCHR UPR Contribution Submissions.
In September 2025, three transgender women were shot and killed in Karachi, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by the community The Independent.
These numbers are not just statistics — they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and communities living in fear.
✊ Pride Pakistan’s Commitment
At Pride Pakistan, we believe that visibility saves lives. By telling these stories, sharing these numbers, and amplifying voices like Shanoun’s, we ensure that the violence cannot be erased or ignored.
Our commitment is twofold:
Transgender Rights: We will continue to highlight the killings, harassment, and systemic discrimination faced by transgender people in Pakistan, demanding accountability and justice.
Broader LGBTQI Visibility: We recognize that gay and queer violence often goes unreported due to criminalisation in Pakistan. Pride Pakistan will use its platform to ensure that these stories are not silenced, and that the fight for equality includes all identities.
💜 A Call to Action
Transgender Day of Remembrance is not just about mourning — it is about mobilizing. We call on allies, activists, and policymakers to:
Demand justice for victims of violence.
Challenge prejudice in communities and institutions.
Support safe spaces for LGBTQI people in Pakistan.
Together, we can build a future where no one is killed or silenced for simply being who they are.
