11d (edited) • Ask or Say Anything
My story
In July 2021, I was detained by police officers for practising homosexuality. I believed my future had ended and that my parents would be left with only shame.
The officers offered to release me in exchange for a bribe. I had no money. No hope. My only possession was my phone, I handed it over.
Under my country's law, Section ***, homosexuality carries a penalty of death or up to 30 years imprisonment. I could not risk either outcome.
I consider myself fortunate that it was police officers and not religious vigilantes who detained me. The latter have been known to use lethal violence that I can not imagine to myself.
This transaction — exchanging personal property for safety — is a common survival strategy for gay men in my community, but not everyone is lucky enough, I was lucky enough.
I did take down my profile picture and alter my name for safety.
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My story
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