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The world has forgotten Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community: Ali Tawakuli
This Zan Times was translated from Persian to English by Rustam Seerat.
Ali Tawakuli is a prominent activist for the rights of Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community and the founder of Rainbow Afghanistan. Before the resurgence of the Taliban, he lived in Afghanistan, where he used an alias on social media to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ community. After the fall of the republican government, he left for the safety of Europe and currently resides in Germany.
In exile, Tawakuli began openly campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights in Afghanistan. One of his significant actions was the establishment of Rainbow Afghanistan. Recently, this organization released a letter addressing the challenging situation of the LGBTQ+ community, and urging the international community and organizations to end their silence regarding crimes against these community members.
In November, Zan Times interviewed Ali Tawakuli. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Zan Times: Can you first provide some information about your personal life?
Ali Tawakuli: I am 21 and was born in Daikundi province and raised in Herat. Unfortunately the Taliban took control of Afghanistan when I was preparing to take my…
