The secret fan
What's it like to be a gay man travelling in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised? Lifelong England fan Phil has kept an audio diary of his experience in Qatar.
Phil is 39 and a lifelong football fan. He's in Qatar for his fourth World Cup in a row. But Phil's also aware that he's in a substantial minority, because he's a gay England fan.
In Qatar, same-sex relationships are illegal, but the country has consistently maintained that "everyone is welcome". Phil says he doesn't want to let Qatar's "despicable LGBT rights" stop him from enjoying the game he loves.
But what's it really like to be a gay man travelling in Qatar? Does it feel safe at this desert World Cup blighted by a dust-storm of controversy?
For 5 Minutes On, Phil has recorded an audio diary of his experience as a 'secret fan'. He sent voice notes to the 麻豆社's Josh Parry on an encrypted messaging app, in order to ensure his safety. We are not publishing his full name.
Image Credit: 麻豆社
