Kasymberdy Garayev is a young gay cardiologist from Turkmenistan. On October 21, he decided to tell his story on Radio Free Europe. 

He had been arrested and beaten by the police in 2018 after being lured into a date. Afterwards, his parents had sent him to Imams to be “cured” and pressured him to marry a woman.

He had hoped his coming out could become the first step towards freedom for himself and other LGBT+ people in Turkmenistan, where being gay is a crime. But he was reportedly summoned by the police on October 24 – and his safety and whereabouts have not been confirmed since. 

If we raise the volume about Kasymberdy’s case around the world, I’m convinced he’ll have a better chance to pull through this in safety.

Add your name and ask #WhereIsKasymberdy