Homosexuality is prohibited by Qatari law, and can lead to seven years in prison.

It is taboo in the country, and coming out in public is unthinkable for the vast majority.

But the doctor Nas Mohammed recently took the unique decision to come out to the media and publicly say that he is gay, to show the world that there are indeed gay people in Qatar, and to raise awareness of the situation now that the world's spotlight is on the country for football World Cup in the country later this year.

- The voices of people like me are completely unheard.

But we should be heard.

And it's scary to me to see the oppression we live under back home.

The message is: You may be out there - but go back into your closets, he says, and continues:

- It's like saying to a black person: You can come but I'm offended by the color of your skin so you have to hide.

The mother recommended medical treatment

Mohammed was born and raised in Qatar, but moved to the United States at the age of 24.

He then told his family that he is gay, a message that his mother had a hard time accepting.

She wanted him to receive medical treatment, and was convinced that it was an illness he contracted during his time in the United States.

After Mohammed moved to the United States, he never visited Qatar again, and he doesn't think he can ever move back.

He has received death threats after his decision to come out publicly, but he has no regrets.

And he hopes the World Cup can lead to an improvement - but he says it requires the players to use their voices to help LGBTQ people in Qatar.

- We can still put pressure on Fifa and Qatar, we are not done with it.

And footballers have gigantic platforms.

So if one of them goes to the press and says, 'I think LGBTQ rights are the same as human rights,' that would be powerful and people would listen," says Mohammed.

Beckham is a WC ambassador

One person he hopes a little extra for is David Beckham.

Beckham is ambassador for Qatar and, according to media reports, receives over SEK 1.8 billion for the job.

- He showed his support to the British (Jake Daniels, Blackpool) who came out earlier this year, two weeks before me.

Now the LGBTQ community in Qatar, for example me, is looking for someone to take a stand.

He could make a statement, he could support the appeal that I started, says Nas Mohammed, and continues:

- He could say that what happened to us in Qatar is wrong, and make it visible, so that it is not just obscured.

What would it mean for LGBTQ people in Qatar to receive such support from Beckham?

- Oh, that would be huge.

It would mean so much.

It would be worth its weight in gold if someone in his position said that your life matters - even you who live in Qatar.

That's what I'm talking about: Giving people hope, making them matter.

It would really make a difference.

Full report: "They want to treat us"