Basira Paigham

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Basira Paigham (born 1997/1998) [1] is an Afghan LGBT-rights activist.

Contents

Early life

Paigham originates from Samagan Province. [2]

Activism

In 2015, Paigham began anonymously using social media to connect with other LGBT individuals. [1] In 2016, she created a Facebook group specifically for LGBT Afghans. [1] In 2018, Paigham and some of her fellow activists organized community meet-ups in Kabul, as well as organizing mutual aid for fellow LGBT Afghans. [1] During this time, Paigham also spoke with international groups and journalists under a pseudonym about her life as an LGBT person living in Afghanistan. [1] She also gained some notability domestically as a women's rights activist. [1]

In 2020, Paigham was witness to a Taliban attack on the National Directorate of Security office in Samagan. [2]

In 2021, in the days after the Taliban claimed power, Paigham began receiving threatening phone calls from unknown numbers, and her apartment was searched. [3] In October 2021 she obtained a visa to enter Pakistan, and from there she fled to Ireland. [4] Paigham was recognized by the BBC as one of the 100 most influential women of the year; at the time, she was living in an Irish refugee camp. [1] [4] [5]

Paigham was a keynote speaker at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom's 2022 Born With Pride Conference. In 2023, she was made a UN Rights and Religion Fellow of Outright International. [6]

Personal life

Paigham is a lesbian. [1] She has said that her family is unsupportive of her sexuality. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Finding Identity and Fighting for Change: Basira's Journey as an Afghan LGBTQ+ Activist". Nimrokh. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  2. 1 2 Noori, Hikmat (2021-03-17). "In Afghanistan's peace talks, those with the most to lose are least represented". The National. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  3. Sultan, Iman (2022-08-16). "Afghan women reflect on one-year anniversary of Taliban rule". The New Arab. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  4. 1 2 Lee, Nicole (2022-11-07). "Dublin Lesbian Line speaks to Afghani LGBTQ+ activist Basira Paigham in new podcast episode". GCN. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  5. "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  6. "Outright Welcomes its 2023 UN Rights and Religion Fellows". Outright International. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-09-09.