Man sent to mental hospital after trying to set up a gay club in Pakistan

A recent report reveals that a Pakistani man has been sent to a mental hospital after attempting to establish the first gay club in the country. The man, who remains anonymous, shared his intentions to create a gay club called the Lorenzo Gay Club in an interview with the Telegraph. However, soon after, he was detained by authorities and transferred to a mental hospital in Peshawar, approximately 125 miles away from Abbottabad, where he submitted his application. This is reported by SSP.

In his application, the man highlighted the club's objective of providing a safe and inclusive space for homosexual, bisexual, and some heterosexual individuals. He made it clear that the club would strictly prohibit any sexual activities beyond kissing. Undeterred by his current situation, the man expressed his determination to fight for the rights of the marginalized gay community in Pakistan. He vowed to escalate the issue to the courts, hoping that they would rule in favor of equal rights similar to the Indian courts.

It's important to note that Pakistan criminalizes homosexual acts under Section 377 of its national penal code. The law stipulates severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for engaging in "carnal intercourse against the order of nature." The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has stated that these provisions violate international human rights principles.

Notably, the Pakistani law specifically targets gay men, and Human Dignity Trust, a London-based non-profit organization, reports instances of enforcement where arrests have been made. Recent years have witnessed disturbing incidents of discrimination, violence, and denial of basic rights and services, including murder, rape, assault, and systemic mistreatment faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community in Pakistan.