A TRANSGENDER TV personality from High Wycombe will join a protest outside the Qatar embassy in London ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Tia Latham, who was born and raised in the town, will head to the capital on November 19, to show solidarity for those who have been persecuted in the Middle Eastern country over their sexuality and self-identification.
As a group of proudly independent LGBTQ+ owned and run Venues we stand together in unity with our LGBTQ+ friends around the world.
— KU BAR (@Kubar) November 17, 2022
Join the protest this Saturday 19 November, 1-2pm outside Qatar’s embassy, 1 South Audley Street, London W1K 1NB
More at: https://t.co/mJ2IUvcWa1 pic.twitter.com/PMHbr9NtUJ
The football tournament, which is the first to be held in the Arab World since its inception in 1930, has seen many fans across the globe criticise Qatar’s current human rights and LGBT laws.
READ MORE: High Wycombe's Tia Latham reveals the struggles of being a transgender woman
As a country under Islamic law, anyone found to have committed acts of homosexuality currently could face a fine, a prison sentence, or even the death penalty.
However, current data shows that ‘no known cases’ of capital punishment have been carried out on members of the LGBT community in Qatar.
Protest this Saturday #Qatar sexism, homophobia & racism. Stop jailing, forced conversion & 'honour' killing of LGBTs. Equality for women & migrant workers. 19 Nov, 1-2pm, Qatar embassy, S. Audley St, London W1K 1NB Map https://t.co/mREibvzfyc#QatarAntiGay
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) November 17, 2022
PLS RT@MsLadyPhyll pic.twitter.com/i4ik7AZVUn
The Wycombe model exclusively told the Free Press: “It is a shame that we are only a few weeks away from 2023 and these views and laws are still around in the present day.
“The fact that you can be put to death for being a member of the LGBT community is absurd.
“Nobody wakes up and just goes ‘oh, I’ve decided to transition today’.
“It doesn’t work like that.”
Tia, who has modelled for Playboy and Boohoo, was also the subject of a transphobic attack in January 2019.
Taking place in Hazlemere, she and her friend Charley Grabczak, were chased by a group of men carrying metal poles following an evening out.
READ MORE: Tia Latham slams ITV and Love Island following Caroline Flack's suicide
After evading the group, the thugs proceeded to vandalise Tia’s car which she had been sitting in seconds before.
She added: “By hosting the tournament in Qatar, in a way, is saying that it’s OK to abuse or attack LGBT people when in reality, we are no different to anyone else.
“Additionally, Qatar is a Muslim country and the Quran states that you are not allowed to judge others.
Protest this Sat #Qatar sexism, homophobia & racism. Stop jailing, forced conversion & 'honour' killing of LGBTs. Equality for women & migrant workers. 19 Nov, 1-2pm, Qatar embassy, South Audley St, London W1K 1NB Map: https://t.co/mREibvzfyc @LindaRiley8#QatarAntiGay PLEASE RT pic.twitter.com/bOpWNNaN8X
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) November 16, 2022
“So why are we being judged on who we are?
“In my experience, a lot goes on behind closed doors with those who publicly say they support Qatar's laws.
“I have had a lot of men approach me knowing that I am part of the LGBT community and they love it.
READ MORE: Tia Latham reacts to alleged anti-gay slur in Wycombe vs Oxford
“But I do feel as if we are going backwards and more needs to be done."
If you have been impacted by any content in this article, visit www.switchboard.lgbt.
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