Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, life for LGBTIQ+ people in Afghanistan has become defined by fear, secrecy, and survival. The Taliban has made it brutally clear that queer lives are unwelcome. Their interpretation of Sharia law demands death for homosexuality, and the rhetoric has translated into real, devastating violence: public floggings, torture, rape, and even executions. With neighbors and relatives emboldened to report suspected LGBTIQ+ people, many individuals destroyed phones, deleted social media, and burned personal mementos of their identity. For many, escape became a desperate hope, but one that remains out of reach for most.
I was persecuted but was lucky to escape; however, I lost my family and country. That experience shaped my mission. Along with a small team of fellow LGBTIQ+ Afghan refugees, we started supporting our community from exile.
Our work is personal, grounded in shared trauma and determination. We provide life-saving cash assistance to those still in Afghanistan or stranded in transit countries like Pakistan and Turkey. The funds go toward rent, food, and medicine, critical support for people in hiding or those who have lost everything..
At the same time, we advocate internationally. We’ve submitted documentation of human rights violations to the United Nations, briefed EU institutions, and spoken in international human rights spaces. We believe in the power of international pressure to create space for protection, even if limited, and to hold perpetrators accountable.
The needs of our community are immense and urgent. Inside Afghanistan, the priority is survival. Safe shelter, anonymity, food, and basic health care are out of reach for many queer Afghans. Lesbian and bisexual women and trans men face even more restrictions due to Taliban laws requiring male guardians for travel. Meanwhile, those in transit countries live in legal limbo, unable to access work or permanent status, constantly fearing deportation.
Even those who have reached countries of asylum aren’t “safe” in the emotional sense. The trauma of violence, displacement, and secrecy follows them. Many face deep isolation, language barriers, and xenophobia. There’s an urgent need for mental health support, community spaces, and long-term integration resources.
The biggest challenge we face is funding. In early 2025, we lost several grants due to global shifts in donor priorities. It meant we had to halt some of our most vital programs, including our cash assistance stream. We rely now on volunteers, small donations, and passion—but the need vastly exceeds our capacity. Every day we receive desperate messages, and it’s heartbreaking to say, “We can’t help right now.”
Security is another constant concern. We encrypt everything. Even in exile, many of us look over our shoulders. Some team members cannot be public because they have family still in Afghanistan. Others carry the weight of trauma that resurfaces with each message we receive from someone in crisis.
Despite all this, we keep going. Every person we help find shelter, every testimony we bring to light, every queer Afghan who knows they are not alone, makes it worth it.
What do we need? We need sustained, flexible funding to support our humanitarian work and build organizational resilience. We need governments to open pathways for LGBTIQ+ Afghan refugees to access resettlement safely and quickly. We need allies to amplify our voices and hold the Taliban accountable for their violence.
And we need solidarity. Human, emotional, grassroots solidarity. Messages of support. Volunteers offering therapy or translation. Donors are committing to small recurring gifts. It all matters.
Even in exile, we carry Afghanistan with us. And we carry each other.”
About the contributor:
Artemis Akbary is the Executive Director of the Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organization (ALO), a leading advocacy organization dedicated to the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly in conflict and post-conflict settings, with a main focus on Afghanistan. Their work involves engaging with international accountability mechanisms to ensure justice and accountability for LGBTIQ victims and survivors. With extensive experience advocating for LGBTIQ+ refugees at the EU level, Artemis is a recognized voice for marginalized communities. They have also worked as a consultant with various international organizations and NGOs on forced displacement issues. Artemis has addressed global human rights issues at forums such as the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Security Council, and other international platforms. Artemis holds an academic background in International Relations and European Politics, with expertise in Queer, Peace, and Security.
About ALO:
The Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organization (ALO) is a refugee-led human rights organization dedicated to protecting, supporting, and advocating for LGBTIQ+ Afghans worldwide. Our work is structured around four core pillars:
1. UN Advocacy
We bring the voices and experiences of LGBTIQ+ Afghans into UN human rights mechanisms, ensuring that issues such as gender persecution, refugee protection, and inclusive peace and security are reflected in global policy and accountability efforts.
2. Humanitarian Assistance
We provide life-saving support to LGBTIQ+ individuals facing extreme risk in Afghanistan and in transit countries. Our assistance includes emergency cash aid, safe housing, crisis support, and protection guidance for those who cannot access mainstream humanitarian systems.
3. Accountability
We document human rights violations against LGBTIQ+ Afghans and engage with international accountability bodies, including the ICC, UN Special Procedures, and investigative mechanisms, to pursue justice for survivors and recognition of gender-based and SOGIESC-based crimes.
4. LGBTIQ+ Refugees
We support LGBTIQ+ refugees throughout their displacement journey—from countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey to Europe—through advocacy, toolkits, training, community programs, and capacity-building for service providers. We also run RainbowFox, a dedicated platform for LGBTIQ+ refugees in the Czech Republic.
