Living with Fear as Politics Shape Queer People’s Sense of Security

This article brings together the voices of queer people from diverse backgrounds who reflected on how the current political climate—both at home and abroad—shapes their everyday sense of security. Their stories highlight how global and local politics reach into personal lives, creating fear, uncertainty, and sometimes despair.

Living Under Surveillance

Since the police raids on queer spaces over the years, and the revelation that officers are active on queer dating apps to entrap community members, many have found themselves living with heightened anxiety.

One participant shared: “I have anxiety that right after midnight I should already go home. As soon as I see sketchy profiles on dating apps, I take the effort of reporting them. There are profiles with military or police uniforms, guns, or national flags. They are red flags for me, and I report them immediately. I already think a lot about my digital footprint. Since the raids in Baku in 2017, I know I could be dragged away by the police at any time.”

Threats from Outside and Within

Uncertainty around Azerbaijan’s status in the Council of Europe has also deepened the concerns. Membership in the Council required the decriminalization of same-sex acts in 2001. Now, with the country at risk of expulsion, many fear the consequences.

One person explained: “That scares me a lot. I don’t know what it would mean for us. Already, it’s harder to secure visas. For me, security means at least having a corridor to leave the country if needed. Knowing that I might not be able to get a visa to flee really terrifies me.”

Events in neighboring countries add to these fears. In Turkey, Russia, and Georgia, where LGBTQI+ rights are increasingly under attack, once-accessible escape routes have become unsafe. Participants noted that in the past, people often sought refuge in Turkey or Georgia before applying for asylum elsewhere. Today, these countries are no longer seen as safe corridors.

“It feels like even Azerbaijan is safer than Turkey or Georgia right now,” one person said.

Finding—and Losing—Safe Spaces

Some participants spoke about moments of relief abroad. Visiting Europe, where legal protections exist and police are more likely to defend LGBTQI+ rights, was described as a powerful experience. One person shared how they felt a profound sense of belonging during a short stay in Europe, only to break down emotionally upon returning home.

“You know you have government and police protection in the EU, and it means the world for us. Even the public is less likely to react against us in the streets,” they reflected.

But even Europe does not feel entirely safe anymore. Participants pointed to Hungary, where pride was banned, as an example of how the rise of authoritarian and populist politics in Europe emboldens governments in their own region to clamp down on LGBTQI+ rights.

“These kinds of politicians give a green light to countries like ours to break democracy and attack LGBTQI+ people, knowing that instead of condemnation they will be rewarded,” someone said.

Coping Through Withdrawal

For some, the political climate has led to retreating from public and online spaces. “I try to stay away from politics as much as I can,” one participant said. “I don’t read the news anymore. I used to reshare, but I’ve stopped. I unfollowed alternative media, even though I read them sometimes. Reading kills my motivation and ruins my day. Talking about politics makes me whisper, afraid someone might be listening. I don’t like or comment on posts because I fear being identified.”

Others described feeling imprisoned in the country, particularly since the pandemic. The belief that leaving sooner rather than later is the only option was common.

Global Shifts, Local Impact

Participants also reflected on how international politics—whether in the US, Europe, or Asia—affects their lives. Reduced support from large platforms like Meta, or moves like the Trump-era ban on gender markers for trans people, are seen as setbacks. These shifts reinforce the feeling that queer people worldwide are losing ground.

Some suggested that Asia currently seems like the safest region to move to, as global politics continue to worsen.

Conclusion: Living in the Shadow of Uncertainty

The conversations reveal how deeply politics—local and global—shape queer people’s everyday realities. What might look like distant headlines about treaties, borders, or elections translate into concrete fears about safety, mobility, and belonging. For this group of queer people, the question is not just about rights on paper, but about whether they can live openly, move freely, and think of a future without fear.

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