12 days to go! Some Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender fans skip Qatar World Cup, fearing hostility

Saskia Nino de Rivera, right, a Mexican civil rights activist, and her girlfriend Mariel Duayhe, a sports agent for Mexican soccer players, pose for a photo at their apartment in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Saskia Nino de Rivera contemplated privately proposing in Qatar at the World Cup during a game, but as the lesbian couple learned more about laws against same-sex relations in the conservative Gulf country, she decided against the idea. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

At first, Saskia Nino de Rivera was excited about going to Qatar for a World Cup that would mark a significant professional event for her partner, a sports agent for Mexico soccer players. She even contemplated privately proposing there during a game, and posting photos once they left the country.

But as the lesbian couple learned more about laws on same-sex relations in the conservative Gulf country, the plans no longer sounded like a good idea. Instead, Nino de Rivera proposed at an Amsterdam stadium this summer and opted to skip the World Cup altogether.