One Man’s Quest To Expose Saudi’s Anti-LGBTQIA+ Brutality Amid Boxing’s Biggest Event
Before heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk clash in Saudi Arabia, a gay activist speaks out.
Wajeeh Lion is no stranger to fear. “The moment I accepted I was gay was the moment I accepted I could be killed,” he told The Guardian. Lion fled Saudi Arabia in 2018 after a lifetime of witnessing horrific punishments for LGBTQIA+ people.
A Grim Reality Saudi
KSA enforces the death penalty for homosexuality. Lion describes seeing public beheadings and torture from a young age. “I was suicidal; I felt I had nowhere to turn,” he said of his struggles. But he found the strength to seek asylum and share his story.
The Price of Boxing Glory
On May 18th, Fury and Usyk will battle in Riyadh for the undisputed heavyweight title. The “Ring of Fire” event is part of Saudi’s sports tourism push led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Boxers need to understand the morality of supporting Saudi,” Lion warned The Guardian. He believes Saudi uses major events to “sportswash” its human rights abuses against LGBTQIA+ citizens.
A Voice for the Voiceless
“Saudi nationals don’t have a voice as they are understandably too scared,” Lion explained. He believes the Jamal Khashoggi murder marked a shift to hiring PR firms and holding sports events rather than intimidating critics.
“It’s working from Saudi’s view,” he concluded. “People are getting paid, events continue, and MBS keeps power.” As Fury and Usyk prepare for the most-awaited boxing event, Lion provides a sobering reminder of the dark reality LGBTQIA+ Saudis face.
