Hidden Voices, S2: Saudi Arabia

“Even if they wanted to accept me, they can’t accept me because they are strong believers in their religion and culture”

In this episode, we speak to BA (He/Him) a gay man from Saudi Arabia. BA talks to us about the barriers and resistance in Saudi Arabia and his own personal journey moving from his nation-state. Read below to hear more about him:

“I was born in a conservative household and realised I was a homosexual from around 7/8 years old. My family do not know about me being homosexual and I decided in 2017 to move to the UK where I could be free to be myself. I completed my teaching degree here in the UK and married my partner. I do go back to visit my family but must plan my travel back to Saudi, I do not visit often due to being worried about traveling on a spouse visa. I was questioned by family about marriage however I kept busy with my studies, career and I have other brothers and sisters which helped take the attention off me. Whilst living in Saudi Arabia one of my gay friends was catfished on grinder by Islamic police, he met them and was ambushed. He was deported back to Syria and since then I have lost contact with him. However, in Saudi there is a hidden gay community for support which throw parties, you just have to know the right people”.