Palm Springs man helps gay Afghan escape Taliban – kuna noticias y kuna radio
A Palm Springs man is speaking out after helping his friend escape from Afghanistan, where he was being targeted by the Taliban for being gay.
Michael Gambill has been working for months on bringing his friend to safety.
He met 22-year-old Fawad Noorzad online. The two quickly bonded over their common interest in technology and shared experiences being gay.
When the Taliban overthrew Afghanistan’s government last summer, Noorzad was forced into hiding because of his sexuality.
“He ended up dating a man, and that man turned him into the Taliban,” Gambill said. “The Taliban were hunting my friend, actively hunting for him.”
Noorzad stayed hidden for nearly two months while Gambill got to work on finding international agencies who could help.
He discovered Rainbow Railroad out of Toronto, and explained the dire situation.
With their help, Noorzad found his way to Pakistan. But it wasn’t for 9 months, until last week, he got on a flight to Canada.
“This young man has an opportunity to live a life as an open gay man that other people will never see,” Gambill said. “Being gay and being out and proud is not a death sentence. It can be one most fulfilling and rewarding things you ever do in your life.”
Noorzad has obtained proof of Canadian residency and has cleared the country’s Covid quarantine.
Gambill said he looks forward to planning a meeting soon in Palm Springs.