Hello, I'm James Reynolds on the BBC World Service, and this is BBC Earth Conversations

on being LGBT.

Attitudes towards LGBT people have been under increased focus in recent weeks, thanks in large

part, to debates about the Qatar World Cup.

It led us to ask members of this community across the globe to share their experiences

from threats to the challenges of coming out.

All in my little liberal congregation were deeply uncomfortable as we don't want to

be known as a gase in a gong with a gay rabbi, and they asked if I'd stop talking about

it, and I said, I can't stop talking about it.

I can't put myself back in the closet.

If, like me, you're watching the men's world cup in Qatar, you'll be aware that it has

been about much more than just football.

It's also heavily loaded with politics and social issues, such as the protester running

onto the pitch during one game a few days ago, with messages on his t-shirt highlighting

concern about women's rights in Iran and the war in Ukraine.

He was also waving a rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ rights.

In Qatar, homosexual acts are considered immoral under Islamic Sharia law.

Punishments include fines, prison sentences of up to seven years, and even death by stoning.

My colleague Karne Shat brought together three people who, because of their country's attitudes

towards their sexuality, feel more comfortable living abroad.

They are Levants from Istanbul, who's studying here in the UK, and Alona is Russian, although

she's currently in Moscow, she now lives in Turkey.

...