‘80% of Pakistan is Gay’: Transgender Activist Hina Baloch’s Explosive Claims Spark Global Social Media Storm

A 37-minute long YouTube interview featuring Hina Baloch, a transgender activist originally from Karachi and now residing in London, has gone viral across South Asian digital spaces, igniting a fierce debate over sexuality, religion, and culture in Pakistan. In a series of provocative statements, Baloch claimed that the traditional understanding of sexual orientation in her home country is a “façade,” asserting that heterosexuality is virtually non-existent in the region.

The ‘Open Secret’ Allegation
During the candid conversation, Baloch described the sexual landscape of Pakistan as an “open secret” that most people are too afraid to acknowledge publicly. “I believe that more than half of Pakistan is quite gay, actually,” she stated. Baloch then escalated her estimate, claiming, “I think 80% of Pakistan is gay and the remaining 20% are bisexuals. I don’t think anybody is straight in Pakistan.”

According to Baloch, the societal pressure to conform to conservative norms forces individuals to lead “double lives.” she argued that while the majority of the population may engage in same-sex attractions or behaviors, they use religion and traditional culture as a shield to deny their true identities. “Most people don’t want to accept it and bring religion and culture into it,” she added, suggesting that the rigid social structure creates a massive psychological burden for the populace.

Citing her own challenging journey of surviving in what she described as “homophobic surroundings” in Pakistan, Baloch explained that her observations are what allowed her to embrace her own sexuality without fear. She remarked that once she realized the prevalence of diverse sexualities behind closed doors, she stopped worrying about how she was perceived by a society she views as “hypocritical.”

The video has divided the internet. While some viewers have praised Baloch for her “fearless” critique of suppressed identities, others have slammed the comments as “hyperbolic” and “statistically impossible,” accusing her of making sweeping generalizations to gain international attention. Conservative groups in Pakistan have already begun flagging the content, while LGBTQ+ advocates are using the viral moment to highlight the lack of safety and rights for queer individuals in the country.

As of this afternoon, the “80% Gay” hashtag is trending on X (formerly Twitter) in both Islamabad and London, making it one of the most controversial cultural discussions of the 2026 spring season.