Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Theoretically homosexuality is forbidden by the religious leaders of the country. In reality there is a gay community participating to the underground nightlife of Islamabad. - Oct 2023
There’s a relatively thriving gay scene in the expat and elite local community. Gay officers have found Islamabad a very comfortable and even welcoming place to serve. - Jun 2022
Not outside the Embassy, but fine within the diplomatic community. - Feb 2019
Most locals think that LGBT people should be raped and/or killed. This is not a place to be out. - Jan 2017
There is actually a surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) vibrant gay (male) scene in Islamabad within expat and Pakistani elite circles. However everything is under wraps in public. - Sep 2016
Obviously it's a huge taboo in public, but it is not impossible for them to have fun. There is a lively (clandestine) LGBT community, with Pakistanis and expats. - Sep 2015
Yes, as long as you remain under the radar. Pakistani men are very touchy with each other, so being normally affectionate with a partner in public (short of kissing) would probably not be noticed. - Aug 2015
I know two guys who are dating men on the local scene. But I think it's pretty hush-hush. - Apr 2014
Yes. - Feb 2014
Not a problem at the Embassy. - Dec 2013
There's a strong G/L scene, even among the Western-educated elites. Everyone gets married and has kids, but that doesn't stop people from having affairs. Unfortunately for homosexuals, that seems to be the only scene. Again, there's a large float of single/situationally single expats... - Mar 2012
I have a couple of gay friends who seem to be hooking up left and right. A recent embassy-sponsored Gay Pride event was just described as "cultural terrorism" by the political-religious leadership here, and I have a feeling that that's a common view. - Aug 2011
I have been told there is quite the gay nightlife/population however I never saw it. The few gay people I knew there seemed to be doing pretty well. Very few if any locals involved. - May 2011
Islamabad is not a good place for gay/lesbian folks. The international scene is pretty laid back, and men do dance with each other, but in reality it's not an easy place to find someone if you are gay. - Jan 2010
