Love is You Brings Queer Visibility to San Francisco as Qatar Arrives for the World Cup

Dr. Nasser Mohamed and a coalition of artists and activists gather at The San Francisco Mint on June 13 for the inaugural activation of Love is the Goal, a global campaign during the 2026 FIFA World Cup

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On June 13, 2026, as Qatar takes the field against Switzerland in a World Cup group stage match, a different kind of gathering will take shape at The San Francisco Mint.

Love is You is the San Francisco activation of Love is the Goal, a global campaign about the universal right to love and be loved. The event is part dance floor and part public demonstration, presented in partnership with Pride House International, Pride House SF, and San Francisco Pride.

LGBTQ+ people exist everywhere. They deserve to be seen, celebrated, and embraced for who they are. Love is the Goal is built around that idea, and uses music, art, and public gathering to make the case in cities around the world during Pride Month and the 2026 World Cup.

Love is the Goal is anchored by Dr. Nasser Mohamed, the first openly gay Qatari to come out publicly after fleeing state persecution. His story gives the campaign a face and an urgency. The activation itself is bigger than any one country or one story.

“The freedom to believe, the freedom to choose for my own body, and the freedom to choose who I love are what helped me be the best version of myself,” Dr. Nas said. “I am celebrating the freedoms that are possible in San Francisco, where I witnessed them myself. The queer dance floor in San Francisco is where love is. I am hosting the dance floor the day Qatar visits the Bay Area.”

“San Francisco Pride has always been a place where people who were told to hide can come and be celebrated instead,” said Suzanne Ford, Executive Director of San Francisco Pride. “Dr. Nas knows what it costs to live honestly, and what it gives back. We are proud to stand with him for Love is You, because nobody should have to choose between being safe and being themselves. This city was built for people to live big lives out loud, and we want as many people in it with us as possible.”

“As the world descends on North America and the Bay Area, it is vital that we, athletes, fans and humans have the ability to show up as our true authentic selves,” said Zac Brown, Executive Director of Pride House San Francisco, an LGBT gathering space with events throughout the summer for the men’s World Cup. “We know that sport and soccer in particular have a unique power to unite us. We stand in solidarity with Dr. Nas and Love is the Goal campaign to say that all people deserve the freedom to live authentically.”

Inside the night

Love is You is a deliberate reclaiming of public joy and visibility. Throughout the evening, DJs will shape the sound of the space within an intentional art installation of layered fabric, living plants, and original lighting and laser design. Between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the room shifts into a moment built around the debut of “Let Your Love Shine,” an original song commissioned for the event, produced by Simon Tam and Leo Frappier, featuring Top 10 Billboard recording artist Debby Holiday and LGBT activist Dr. Nas Mohamed. The video component will be captured and released in the days that follow. The venue will include quieter areas to sit, talk, and decompress.

The 2026 World Cup brings Qatar into the global spotlight. Love is the Goal is not interested in turning that into empty outrage, culture-war theater, or rainbow-branded corporate messaging. The focus is narrower and more human. What it costs people to disappear parts of themselves in order to survive, and what becomes possible when they no longer have to.

Event details

Love is You takes place Saturday, June 13, 2026, at The San Francisco Mint. The event is open to guests 21 and older. Attendance is free with advance RSVP encouraged due to limited capacity. A limited number of paid general admission tickets are available to support the Alwan Foundation.

Donations and proceeds from the Love is the Goal merchandise collection, including a Bisht-inspired design by Leon Wiebers, support the Alwan Foundation, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in the Gulf region.

RSVP: LoveIsYouSF.eventbrite.com

Everyone is welcome.

About Love is the Goal

Love is the Goal is a global campaign about the universal right to love and be loved. LGBTQ+ people exist everywhere, and they deserve to be seen, celebrated, and embraced for who they are. The campaign is anchored by Dr. Nasser Mohamed, the first openly gay Qatari to come out publicly after fleeing state persecution, and brings together artists, activists, and community leaders in cities around the world during Pride Month and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The San Francisco activation, Love is You, takes place on June 13, 2026, at The San Francisco Mint.

About the Alwan Foundation

The Alwan Foundation, founded by Dr. Nasser Mohamed in 2022, is the first LGBTQ+ organization dedicated to speaking untold truths about LGBTQ+ communities in the Gulf states. The foundation advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, supports refugees and asylum seekers, and reports on country conditions across the region.