Dr. Nasser Mohamed, clothed in a traditional Qatari bisht with rainbow piping on the sleeves and the words “love” and “freedom” in Arabic, made a powerful statement as he walked past a crowd outside the Chase Center in San Francisco during the England-Croatia World Cup match. Born in Qatar, Dr. Mohamed came out as one of the few openly gay men from the country. Gay relationships are illegal in Qatar, and such visibility in his homeland comes with significant risk.
Over the years, Dr. Mohamed, now 39, has gained enough confidence to express his true identity through his attire and advocacy work. He receives both hate and support, but the global encouragement outweighs the threats. “I am so loved in San Francisco,” he says about the city that has become his sanctuary.
For Dr. Mohamed, wearing the bisht is a way to assert his existence and celebrate his identity. He recalls when the emir of Qatar placed a similar robe on Lionel Messi during the last World Cup, symbolizing a form of recognition that he hopes LGBTQ+ individuals can experience too.
Love is the Goal Campaign
Alongside being a family doctor who treats HIV, Dr. Mohamed, or “Dr. Nas,” initiated the “Love is the Goal” campaign aligning with the World Cup and Pride Month celebrations. By merging soccer language with messages of love in a video, he aimed to humanize all involved. He remarked on the high costs of his life choices, having lost everything and been disowned for his decision to live authentically.
On June 13, he attended Qatar’s first group-stage match in Santa Clara, appreciated by many. Photographs of Dr. Mohamed with state Sen. Scott Wiener gained significant attention on social media. Despite not being able to attend all matches, he remained deeply moved while witnessing Qatar play, reflecting on the improbability of returning home.
Resistance and Healing
Dr. Mohamed organizes events like a dance party at the San Francisco Mint to spread messages of love and unity. His friend, Simon Tam, emphasized his courage and impact through his journey. Mohamed’s goal is for every child to feel at home in their society, although estrangement from his family remains painful.
He aids others fleeing oppression, as exemplified by assisting a transgender woman seeking refuge. However, the Associated Press could not independently verify her claims of mistreatment, nor did Qatar’s government comment when contacted.
Despite his challenges, Dr. Mohamed remains thankful for his new life in the U.S. and shares in both Qatar and America’s victories. Cheering for both nations, he stays hopeful that love and acceptance can be universally celebrated.