Dr. Nasser Mohamed, a Qatari-born physician and LGBTQ+ advocate, has emerged as a visible and vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during the current World Cup, held in various U.S. cities. Wearing a traditional Qatari bisht adorned with rainbow accents and the Arabic words for “love” and “freedom,” Mohamed attended public watch parties in San Francisco, where he now resides, as part of his broader campaign to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and human rights in Qatar.

Mohamed, 39, is one of the very few openly gay men from Qatar, a country where homosexuality remains illegal and punishable by law. He came out publicly after moving abroad and has since faced significant backlash, including death threats and estrangement from his family. Despite these challenges, he remains undeterred in his activism and has found strong support within the San Francisco community, which he credits for helping him reclaim his identity and cultural heritage in a more accepting environment.

Ahead of the World Cup and Pride Month, Mohamed launched the “Love is the Goal” campaign, blending his passion for soccer with messages of inclusion and acceptance. The initiative features a video using soccer terminology to describe love, aiming to humanize those involved in the tournament and foster empathy. Mohamed, who also works as a family doctor specializing in HIV treatment, has highlighted the personal and financial costs of living openly as a gay man from Qatar, where he said he was disowned and forced to rebuild his life from scratch.

Although he could not attend Qatar’s final group match in Seattle, Mohamed was present at the team’s opening game on June 13 in Santa Clara, California, where he faced visible security measures and was escorted by California state Senator Scott Wiener. The event attracted significant public attention, with photos of Mohamed and the senator reaching millions on social media. The experience was emotionally charged for Mohamed, who said it was a rare moment of connection to his homeland amid ongoing fears for his safety and family back in Qatar.

In San Francisco, Mohamed hosted a celebratory event featuring a performance of “Let Your Love Shine,” written by his friend Simon Tam. Tam praised Mohamed’s courage and dedication to making LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen and valued. Mohamed, who has assisted others fleeing persecution in Qatar—including a transgender woman who reported imprisonment and torture—acknowledges the risks involved in his activism but sees it as necessary work.

Despite his critical stance on Qatar’s human rights record, Mohamed continues to root for both Qatar and the United States during the tournament, emphasizing that his critiques come from a place of love. He expressed hope for a future where every child can be accepted by their families and societies, underscoring the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in regions where such freedoms remain limited.