First openly gay Qatari activist makes defiant statement at Santa Clara World Cup match
LGBTQ activist Dr. Nasser Mohammed made a striking appearance at Qatar-Switzerland World Cup match in Santa Clara last month, walking into the stadium alongside California State Senator Scott Wiener in a reimagined traditional bisht.
The ceremonial Gulf robe—famously draped over Lionel Messi by the Emir of Qatar in 2022—was modified to feature Arabic calligraphy for “love” and “freedom,” with rainbow detailing woven into the gold cording.
The moment marked a full-circle journey for Dr. Mohammed, who in 2022 became the first Qatari to publicly come out as gay. Having fled his homeland, the San Francisco match allowed him to stand visibly on his own terms before Qatar and the world.
In a joint statement, Senator Wiener and Dr. Mohammed delivered a clear message: “Love is not a crime.”
