Pride Girmitiya

Afghanistan Coming Soon

Decolonizing the Narrative | Celebrating Global Queer Resistance

History and Anthropology

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Tracing the Legacy: Colonialism’s Impact

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LGBTQ+ Challenges

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Overcoming LGBTQ+ Challenges

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Organizations Aiding the Community

Since the Taliban took power in October 2021, international NGOs have faced significant challenges in providing support to Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community. Safety concerns have prevented many organizations from operating within the country, resulting in limited aid. Before the Taliban’s takeover, however, NGOs worked actively to help LGBTQ+ individuals escape escalating threats. For instance, Afghan Finance Minister Ahmad Wali Haqmal publicly stated, “LGBT… that’s against our Sharia law” (BBC, 2021), highlighting the hostile environment. In response, organizations such as Stonewall in the UK and Rainbow Railroad in Canada intervened, successfully facilitating the safe resettlement of 29 asylum seekers in the United Kingdom (BBC, 2021).

Rainbow Afghanistan is another NGO supporting the LGBTQ+ community, established through Arc-en-Ciel International Rainbow. The organization’s mission is to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals in Afghanistan and ensure their existence is recognized globally. Led by human rights advocate Shahriar Mandegar, the group actively represents the community on the international stage. Rainbow Afghanistan also collaborates with other NGOs to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ people facing persecution in countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.