Men from Afghanistan's secret gay community say they are living through a 'nightmare' and fear that

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

the Taliban will execute them at any moment

In tears, Rameen* said that his life has felt like a "nightmare" ever since Kabul fell to the Taliban on Sunday. "I just hope that somebody comes and wakes me up from this bad dream," the 37-year-old gay Afghan told Insider during a phone call.

Rameen, who works for the United Nations, once enjoyed Afghanistan's vibrant "underground" gay scene.

Even though homosexuality was illegal, he said he felt relatively safe making his weekly visit to a clandestine karaoke bar in Kabul to sing and dance with other members of the country's hidden LGBTQ communities. "It was fantastic and so much fun," Rameen recalled.

But in days, Rameen's life, like so many gay Afghans, has been turned upside down. He now lives in constant fear and is too afraid to meet up with his boyfriend of three years.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/men-afghanistans-secret-gay-community-084957015.html

[Polybius]

1. I hate to say it, but I hope he either gets out or abstains from relationships

It's just not worth getting your head cut off, the Taliban is sick.

[totodeinhere]

2. This is just another one of the sad consequences of Taliban rule.

Unfortunately President Biden was caught between a rock and a hard place. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. But in the long run he had no choice unless he wanted to continue to sacrifice more American lives. I really respect and love our president for having the political courage to do this.

Regarding the gay Afghan man who is the subject of this article, I hope that this individual is able to get out.

[Sympthsical]

3. And this is why I hate the Republican/Taliban comparisons

It's so unserious and diminishes the horror of what LGBT people go through in other countries. Yes, hate crimes exist here. LGBT people are at greater risk for violence.

We also put the people who commit that violence in prison when we find them. We're not executed by the state for having a same sex partner. We have legal protections and marriage.

I grind my teeth whenever someone flippantly tosses that shit out.

America isn't that. America wasn't even that 100 years ago.

(Random fact for those curious: The last state to have capital punishment for homosexuality was South Carolina. They repealed it in 1873).

[Behind the Aegis]

4. It is lazy thinking and poor rhetoric.

This happens in a number of areas when those on our side try to make sense of some things and ignorantly make bad comparisons or comparisons lacking nuance. It has just become about "bumper sticker sloganing". Frankly, I am more disturbed by those who "suddenly" care about LGBT rights (among others) when it comes to situations like this, but fail to see the issues here, even though not as sever, as unimportant.

[Sympthsical]

5. I may have to change my FB pic

Do we have one for this situation yet? I need to signal I've made the heroic effort of clicking several buttons on a computer as a contribution to the cause.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. I don't understand your comment.

You do realize I wasn't criticizing your comment, but rather agreeing with it and explaining why some make such lazy comparisions.

[Sympthsical]

8. No, no, you mentioned the bumper sticker approach

I was just referencing that. Our newest form of that these days is changing one's profile pic on social media for a few days as supporting the cause.

And then it's back to posting the macaroni salad we made the night before.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Oh duh! **slaps forehead**

Now, I understand your reference. Sadly, I have to agree. For those of us who have and, in some cases, still do put in the work, seem to be left out in the cold. Honestly, I don't think many even really care about the gay experience, at all, unless they can make a political statement about it. We are nothing but a prop.

[pnwmom]

7. Unfortunately, we can't be the Policeman of the World, and Afghanistan's never been an ally. nt