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☆ Head of London's police force apologises to LGBT+ community
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, June 7 (Reuters) - The head of London's Metropolitan Police apologised to the city's LGBT+ community on Wednesday for the failings of the past, responding to calls from an activist group to draw a line under what they called "homophobic victimisation." Commissioner Mark Rowley, the country's most senior police officer, made the apology in a letter addressed to gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and published by Tatchell's foundation. "If the police say they have changed, they need to show it by acknowledging past wrongs," Tatchell said. Rowley also said the Met would publish a new plan for LGBT+ Londoners and promised to restore LGBT+ community liaison officers across the capital. Reporting by Muvija M, Editing by William JamesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mark Rowley, Peter Tatchell, Rowley, Tatchell, Muvija, William James Our Organizations: London's Metropolitan Police, London, Thomson Locations: Britain

☆ Tennis great King says Qatar World Cup can be force for good
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King has spent her life fighting for gender equality and championing the rights of the LGBTQ community so it would hardly be surprising if she joined the long list of those criticising Qatar as World Cup hosts. Qatar's treatment of migrant workers and restrictive social laws which prohibit same-sex relationships has led many to question world governing body FIFA's decision. Asked if she would be happy to host the Billie Jean Cup finals, which begins this month in Glasgow, in Qatar, she said: "I probably would be because, first of all, the WTA went there years ago. Organisers of the World Cup, which starts on Nov. 20, say that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome. "We were there four or five years and I think it helped," King said in a conference call with a small group of reporters ahead of the Billie Jean Cup finals which start on Nov. 8.

☆ No kissing in Qatar? Fears grow of crackdown on LGBTQ fans at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Matt Lavietes | Matt Lavietes Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

More than a million soccer fans from around the world are expected to gather in Qatar for next month's FIFA World Cup, but as the global competition nears, concerns over how the Gulf nation will treat its LGBTQ visitors are rising. “These are the basic rights that should be afforded to all and will ensure continued progress in Qatar,” one of the players said. But for years, the Gulf nation's government and FIFA have sought to reassure fans that LGBTQ fans are welcome and will be safe attending the World Cup. Scrutiny over how Qatar treats its own LGBTQ people has also gained traction in the lead-up to the World Cup. Rasha Younes, a researcher who studies LGBTQ rights in the Middle East and North Africa for Human Rights Watch and author of the new report, said she hopes that the displays of LGBTQ solidarity will influence Qatar's domestic policies.

☆ British LGBT activist urges captains to speak out in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 28 (Reuters) - British activist Peter Tatchell said he hopes team captains at this year's World Cup in Qatar will follow the example set by Australia and reaffirm the rights of LGBTs, women and migrant workers during the tournament. Homosexuality is illegal in the conservative Muslim country, and some soccer players have raised concerns for fans travelling for the event, especially LGBT individuals and women. On Thursday, Australia's national team spoke out against Qatar's record. Human Rights Watch on Monday said security forces in Qatar arbitrarily arrested and abused LGBT Qataris as recently as last month. World Cup organisers did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The 2022 World Cup kicks off on November 20 and runs through December 18 in the Gulf state. Khalifa International Stadium — The Khalifa International Stadium was the first of the Qatar 2022 World Cup venues to be completed. The Khalifa International Stadium was the first of the Qatar 2022 World Cup venues to be completed. It officially opened on May 19, 2017, and can hold 48,000 fans after being expanded for the World Cup. Neoscape Al Thumama Stadium — The 40,000-seat Al Thumama Stadium will host matches up to the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.

☆ World Cup: UK foreign secretary under fire for saying LGBT soccer fans should be "respectful" at Qatar 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Amy Cassidy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is receiving backlash for suggesting gay soccer fans should be “respectful” in Qatar when attending the FIFA World Cup set to take place in the Gulf Arab state later this year. “One of the things I would say to the football fans is you know, please do be respectful of the host nation. “Two football fans going as a couple can’t hold hands? Leon Neal/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell protested by himself outside the Qatar national museum ahead of the World Cup. Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”

CNN —British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell protested by himself outside the Qatar national museum on Tuesday ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup which the country will host starting in November. “I did this protest to highlight Qatar’s abuse of LGBT, women’s and migrant workers rights,” his foundation said in a statement. Police shook Tatchell’s hand and left, leaving the activist on the sidewalk, Reuters said. Tatchell shared video on Twitter showing a man in plain clothes speaking to him and taking his sign away. The World Cup takes place from November 20 to December 18.

☆ Champions League: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé score twice as PSG thrashes Maccabi Haifa
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar were in scintillating form as the French side qualified for the Champions League knockout stages with a 7-2 win against Maccabi Haifa. Messi and Mbappé both scored twice, while Neymar and Carlos Soler added goals in each half on top of an own goal from Sean Goldberg. READ: British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell protests outside the Qatar national museumMessi, Mbappé and Neymar all scored against Maccabi Haifa. Mbappé’s fine strike just after the hour mark made it 5-2, taking him to six Champions League goals this season – one more than Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah at the top of the scoring charts. Mbappé is now the top scorer in this season's Champions League.

☆ LGBTQ activist says he was 'seized' in Qatar ahead of the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Matt Lavietes | Matt Lavietes Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell said he was held in Qatar on Tuesday after protesting the Gulf nation's human rights record, just weeks before it is set to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. The pioneering LGBTQ rights activist said nine security officials and police officers surrounded him and one of his colleagues on the curbside and then proceeded to interrogate and hold them for 49 minutes. Despite criticism over the Gulf nation's human rights record, relations between Qatar and the West have recently been on an upswing. A brutal regime that persecutes LGBTQ people should not have been allowed to host the World Cup." "The purpose of this protest was to shine a light on Qatar's human rights abuses," Tatchell said.

☆ Qatar police stop protest by British LGBT activist
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Veteran British LGBTs rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, holds a sign in front of the National Museum of Qatar reading "Qatar arrests, jails & subjects LGBTs to 'conversion' #QatarAntiGay", in Doha, Qatar, October 25, 2022. REUTERS/Obtained by ReutersDOHA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Qatari police on Tuesday stopped a one-man protest by British LGBT activist Peter Tatchell outside the national museum of the Gulf Arab state which hosts soccer's World Cup next month. "Rumours on social media that a representative from the Peter Tatchell Foundation has been arrested in Qatar are completely false and without merit," it said in a statement. Human Rights Watch on Monday said security forces in Qatar arbitrarily arrested and abused LGBT Qataris as recently as last month. Qatar expects 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, creating an unprecedented logistical and policing challenge for the tiny state.

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