In times of deepening silence from the global community, the voices of our local allies become our most vital lifeline.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Society for Gender Diversity & Inclusion Pakistan (SGDI Pakistan) for resharing my recent article, “The Closing Walls: How Global Indifference is Fueling Pakistan’s War on its LGBTQI Community.” By amplifying this message on their platform, SGDI Pakistan has reminded us of a critical truth: when the world looks away, we must look out for each other.
The Reality We Face
As I wrote in the original piece for The Youth Pact, the LGBTQI+ community in Pakistan is facing an existential crisis. We are witnessing a devastating combination of global aid reduction and a sharp rise in state-sanctioned hostility. The funds that once supported safe houses, legal aid, and HIV medication are vanishing, leaving our community vulnerable to a system that increasingly seeks to erase us.
The repost by SGDI Pakistan highlights the urgency of this situation. It is not just about funding; it is about the “diplomatic shield” that is disappearing along with it, leaving activists and community members exposed to unprecedented risks.
Strength in Unity
Now, more than ever, unity among LGBTQI+ organizations in Pakistan is not just a strategy—it is survival. Organizations like Pride Pakistan and SGDI Pakistan may work on different fronts, but our battle is the same. We are fighting for the dignity, safety, and right to exist of every queer Pakistani.
As the walls close in, our laughter, our resilience, and our ability to stand together become our greatest acts of rebellion. We cannot afford fragmentation. We must hold the line together, sharing resources, information, and support where the international community has left a void.
Thank you, SGDI Pakistan, for standing in solidarity. Let us continue to be the shield for one another.
In Solidarity,
Ali Raza Khan
Founder, PridePakistan.org
References & Further Reading
- Original Article: The Closing Walls: Pakistan’s War on its LGBTQI+ Community – The Youth Pact
- SGDI Pakistan Repost: View on Instagram
- Follow SGDI Pakistan: Instagram Profile
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