Man’s Dream Of Opening Pakistan’s First Gay Club Ends With His Disappearance
A Pakistani man who tried to open the country’s first gay club has been sent to a mental health hospital. His friends are deeply concerned about his safety and have been unable to visit him or get more information. “I do not know about his well-being for many days,” they told The Telegraph. They also mentioned that they had “tried to find out about him a couple of times but without success.”
The man, who chose to remain anonymous, applied to open the club in Abbottabad, a conservative region in Pakistan. Gay sex is illegal in Pakistan and can lead to up to two years in prison, though this is rarely enforced. Homosexuality is generally frowned upon, making it hard to be openly gay. According to his friend, the man’s sexuality was known in his community, but there had never been any issues before.
“Anything Could Happen to Him”
The friend described the man as “vulnerable” and said, “anything could happen to him at any time.” In his application, the man stated that the club would be a “great convenience and resource for many homosexual, bisexual, and even some heterosexual people residing in Abbottabad in particular, and in other parts of the country in general.” The club, tentatively named Lorenzo Gay Club, would have strict rules against any sexual activity on the premises, with a visible notice stating “no sex on premises.”
The application was leaked on social media, causing outrage among politicians and locals. Rightwing Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PATY) leader Naseer Khan Nazir warned of “very severe consequences” if the club were allowed to open. Another member of Parliament threatened to “douse the building with petrol and set it on fire.”
Sent to Mental Hospital
The Telegraph tried to visit the man at his home but found out he was sent to Sarhad Hospital for psychiatric disease on May 9. Before his detention, the man said, “I talk about human rights, and I want everyone’s human rights to be defended.”
He planned to ask officials why his application was rejected if it came to that. In some Indian states, live-in relationships are allowed between gay couples. Last year, the Supreme Court did not legalise gay marriage, leaving it to Parliament.
“I Will Raise My Voice in Every Forum”
“I have started the struggle for the rights of the most neglected community in Pakistan, and I will raise my voice in every forum. If the authorities refuse, then I will approach the court, and I hope that like the Indian court, the Pakistani court will rule in favour of gay people,” the man told The Telegraph before his detention.
