is looking the other way (July 2017, Washington Post)
Because the youths are powerless, they cannot give their free consent for what is done to them. Such acts do not qualify as consensual same-sex relations. Clearly the men involved in this act are pedophiles. It can hurt badly too, but money is important.” One of the bacha boys who talked about his sexual experiences said “We feed them well, we prepare all their food for them, we do everything, we support them in every way.” “When a boy is older, we make their life better we buy their bacha clothes, pay for their wedding when they are no longer wanted. In the documentary, “playboy” Japar, a retired field commander who claimed to have worked with the Afghanistan government, said: They remain in the business until they are 20. The recruited boys who are necessarily not gay are usually between the ages of 12–13 and are called ‘bachas’.
They often target poor boys who are either desperate to make money or burdened with the responsibility to take care of their families. They are rich and well-connected, which places them beyond the law.
The men who recruit these young boys are called ‘playboys’. I give them money, and they give me their bodies.” “Obviously, when I am with boys, I feel aroused, so it’s just a fair exchange. In Afghanistan, this is not viewed as homosexuality, even though there are strict laws prohibiting the act.Īmir, an older man acknowledged in the documentary that he is aroused by the sight of young men and admitted to having exploited them sexually.
The documentary shows how under-aged boys are recruited and taught how to dance like women in parties organized by rich folks, who then later select their favorite boy for sex. Further coverage comes in a video documentary titled ‘They don’t just dance’ that is now available online through RTDoc – an English-language documentary channel created by Russia’s government-backed media company RT. The practice has been widely discussed - for example, in The New York Times, Newsweek and The Daily Mail. They do it under the guise of a disgusting old sexual traditional practice called “bacha bazi” (boy play). But for all the personal evidence you'd need to convice you what a difference an accepting family can make, check out Alex's rhymes below.In Afghanistan, as part of an illegal but traditional practice, men recruit young boys, luring them with gifts and money with the intention of having sex with them.
Safe spaces and adult support can help trans kids feel like being themselves is awesome - and studies have shown that trans kids with affirming parents are less likely to experience suicidal thoughts or fall into problem drinking or drug use, as well as homelessness and sex work. Founded in 2009 by trans advocate Nick Teich, Aranu'tiq is a place for youth who feel they don't fit into other camps because of their gender or who want to have summer fun with others like them. That's exactly the way that Camp Aranu'tiq, the summer camp for trans and gender-variant youth where Alex performed his song, aims to help more trans kids feel. With lines like "Basically I said this girl is your son / and I've always felt this way and it hasn't been fun / sat there together for a little while / I thought she was sad but then I saw her smile / She told me I was brave and that she was so proud / that I came to her so she could help me sort things out," it's clear that young Alex (maybe with a little lyrical help from Mom) feels proud and self-assured when discussing his gender. Mix self-confidence, a dose of supportive parenting, and the warm embrace of a trans-focused summer camp, and what do you get? Alex, the 8-year-old transgender boy whose rap about coming out as trans to his mom has won him a quick Internet fandom.