Being on the periphery of society

Khakan Qureshi reflects on growing up feeling different and on the edges of multiple communities, from school playground dynamics and gender expectations to the pressures of culture, faith, and community norms. He describes how not fitting neatly into perceived boxes shaped his confidence, relationships, and sense of belonging, and how those experiences followed him into adulthood and the workplace.

The conversation explores being gay and Muslim, navigating family expectations, and the impact of stigma and political hostility over time. Khakan shares pivotal moments that strengthened his willingness to speak up, including experiences of homophobia, the legacy of Section 28, and the ongoing debates around conversion therapy and wider LGBTQ+ rights.

Khakan also discusses the role of resilience and support networks, the importance of visibility and role models, and what meaningful social change could look like. The episode closes with his reflections on advocacy within the South Asian community, his recognition with a British Empire Medal for LGBTQ+ equality work, and observations from his work supporting young people where anxiety and depression are increasingly common.