LGBT rights in Africa
Africa
StatusLegal in 21 out of 56 states
Legal in all 4 territories
Gender identityLegal in 1 out of 56 states
Legal in all 4 territories
MilitaryAllowed to serve openly in 1 out of 56 states
Legal in all 4 territories
Discrimination protectionsLegal in 6 out of 56 states
Legal in all 4 territories
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsLegal in 1 out of 56 states
Legal in 3 out of 4 territories
RestrictionsSame-sex marriage constitutionally banned in 8 out of 56 states
AdoptionLegal in 1 out of 56 states
Legal in 3 out of 4 territories

With the exception of South Africa, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Africa are very limited in comparison to many other areas of the world.

Homosexuality is found throughout the African continent, and most scholars believe that it has long been a part of various African cultures.[1] Out of the 55 states recognised by the United Nations or African Union or both, the International Gay and Lesbian Association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 African countries. Human Rights Watch notes that another two countries, Benin and the Central African Republic, do not outlaw homosexuality, but have certain laws which apply differently to heterosexual and homosexual individuals.[2]

Homosexual activity between adults has never been criminalised in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, and Rwanda.

Since 2011, some developed countries have been considering or implementing laws that limit or prohibit general budget support to countries that restrict the rights of homosexuals.[3] In spite of this, many African countries have refused to consider increasing LGBT rights,[4] and in some cases have drafted laws to increase sanctions against LGBT people.[5] Many African leaders[who?] claims that it was brought into the continent from other parts of the world. Most scholars nevertheless believe that homosexuality has long been a part of various African cultures.[6][7][8][9]

In Mauritania, Sudan and northern Nigeria, homosexuality is punishable by death. In Uganda, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone, offenders can receive life imprisonment for homosexual acts. In addition to criminalizing homosexuality, Nigeria has enacted legislation that would make it illegal for straight family members, allies and friends of the LGBT to be supportive. According to Nigerian law, a straight ally “who administers, witnesses, abets or aids” any form of gender non-conforming and homosexual activity could receive a 10-year jail sentence.[10] South Africa's constitution has the most liberal attitudes toward gays and lesbians, with a constitution which guarantees gay and lesbian rights, and legal same-sex marriage.

History of homosexuality in Africa

Ancient history

Egypt

Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep kissing.

The best known case of possible homosexuality in Ancient Egypt is that of the two high officials Nyankh-Khnum and Khnum-hotep. Both men lived and served under pharaoh Niuserre during the 5th Dynasty (c. 2494–2345 BC).[11] Nyankh-Khnum and Khnum-hotep each had families of their own with children and wives, but when they died their families apparently decided to bury them together in one and the same mastaba tomb. In this mastaba, several paintings depict both men embracing each other and touching their faces nose-on-nose. These depictions leave plenty of room for speculation, because in Ancient Egypt the nose-on-nose touching normally represented a kiss.[11]

Egyptologists and historians disagree about how to interpret the paintings of Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep. Some scholars believe that the paintings reflect an example of homosexuality between two married men and prove that the Ancient Egyptians accepted same-sex relationships.[12] Other scholars disagree and interpret the scenes as an evidence that Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep were twins, even possibly conjoined twins. No matter what interpretation is correct, the paintings show at the very least that Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep must have been very close to each other in life as in death.[11]

It remains unclear, what exact view the Ancient Egyptians fostered about homosexuality. Any document and literature that actually contains sexual orientated stories, never name the nature of the sexual deeds, but instead uses stilted and flowery paraphrases. While the stories about Seth and his sexual behavior may reveal rather negative thoughts and views, the tomb inscription of Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep may instead suggest that homosexuality was likewise accepted. Ancient Egyptian documents never clearly say that same-sex relationships were seen as reprehensible or despicable. And no Ancient Egyptian document mentions that homosexual acts were set under penalty. Thus, a straight evaluation remains problematic.[11][13]

The Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD is said to have exterminated a large number of "effeminate priests" based in Alexandria.[14]

Southern Africa

Evidence of homosexuality has also been found in 2000 year old rock paintings in southern Africa depicting men having sex with other men.[15]

Middle Ages and Early Modern

North Africa contained some of the most visible and well-documented traditions of homosexuality in the world - particularly during the period of Mamluk rule. Arabic poetry emerging from cosmopolitan and literate societies frequently described the pleasures of pederastic relationships. There are accounts of Christian boys being sent from Europe to become sex workers in Egypt. In Cairo, cross-dresssing men called "khawal" would entertain audiences with song and dance (potentially of pre-Islamic origin).[16]

Modern Period

North Africa

The Siwa Oasis in Egypt was described by several early twentieth century travellers as a place where same-sex sexual relationships were quite common. A group of warriors in this area were known for paying reverse dowries to younger men; a practice that was outlawed in the 1940s.[17]

East Africa

Cross-gender homosexuality not tied to possession cults has been reported in a number of East African societies.

The kingdom of Buganda (moder day Uganda) institutionalised certain forms of same-sex relations. In the 19th century Mwanga II (1868–1903) the Kabaka of Buganda regularly had sex with a mumber of his male pages.[18][19]

In Ethiopia Bieber encountered "Uranism" among the Semitic Harari people and noted that "sodomy is not foreign to the Harari. Albeit not as commonly, it also occurs among the Galla and Somali." He also noted mutual masturbation by both sexes and all ages for all three peoples, and specified that among the Harari, "Uranism" was practiced as often between adult men as between men and boys.[20] More recently, Gamst reported homosexual relations among shepherd boys of the Cushitic-speaking Qemant (Kemant) of central Ethiopia.[21]

Among Amhara peasants, Messing found (better-accepted) male transvestites, who were viewd as "God’s mistakes." Wändarwäräd (literally "male-female") with visible male sexual characteristics, but whose structure was popularly believed to be defective.[22]

Among the Maale people of southern Ethiopia, Donald Donham documented "a small minority [of men] crossed over to feminine roles. Called ashtime, these (biological) males dressed like women, performed female tasks, cared for their own houses, and apparently had sexual relations with men,".[23]

Needham has described a religious leadership role called "mugawe" among the Meru people of Kenya which included wearing women’s clothes and hairstyle.[24] Mugawe are frequently homosexual, and sometimes are formally married to a man. A similar role is played by some men within the Swahili-speaking Mashoga - who often take on women's names and cook and clean for their husbands.[25] Bryk (1964) reported active (i.e., insertive) Kikuyu pederasts called onek, and also mentioned "homo-erotic bachelors" among the pastoralist Nandi and Maragoli (Wanga).

West Africa

In west Africa there is extensive historical evidence of homosexuality.[26]

Southern Africa

Writing in the 19th century about the area of today's southwestern Zimbabwe, David Livingstone asserted that the monopolization of women by elderly chiefs was essentially responsible for the "immorality" practised by younger men.[27] Smith and Dale mention one Ila-speaking man who dressed as a woman, did women’s work, lived and slept among, but not with, women. The Ila label "mwaami" they translated as "prophet." They also mentioned that pederasty was not rare, "but was considered dangerous because of the risk that the boy will become pregnant.[28]

Epprecht’s review of 250 court cases from 1892 to 1923 found cases from the beginnings of the records. The five 1892 cases all involved black Africans. A defense offered was that "sodomy" was part of local "custom." In one case a chief was summoned to testify about customary penalties and reported that the penalty was a fine of one cow, which was less than the penalty for adultery. Over the entire period, Epprecht found the balance of black and white defendants proportional to that in the population. He notes, however, only what came to the attention of the courts - most consensual relations in private did not necessarily provoke notice. Some cases were brought by partners who had been dropped or who had not received promised compensation from their former sexual partner. And although the norm was for the younger male to lie supine and not show any enjoyment, let alone expect any sexual mutuality, Epprecht found a case in which a pair of black males had stopped their sexual relationship out of fear of pregnancy, but one wanted to resume taking turns penetrating each other.[28]

Same-sex sexual activity legal
  Same-sex marriage
  No recognition of same-sex couples
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
  Not Enforced or unclear
  Penalty
  Life in prison
  Death penalty

Legislation by country or territory

This table:

Northern Africa

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Algeria Algeria No Illegal since 1966
Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment with fines up to 10,000 dinars.[29] Torture,[30] beatings,[31] or vigilante executions are also common. 		No No No No No No
Canary Islands Canary Islands
(Autonomous community of Spain) 		Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		Yes De facto unions legal since 2003[33] Yes Legal since 2005[34] Yes Legal since 2005[35][36] Yes Spain responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[37] Yes Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[38]
Ceuta Ceuta
(Autonomous city of Spain) 		Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		Yes De facto union since 1998[39] Yes Legal since 2005[34] Yes Legal since 2005[35] Yes Spain responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[38]
Egypt Egypt Yes/ No Ambiguous. Male de jure legal, but de facto illegal since 2000
Penalty: Up to 17 years imprisonment with or without hard labour and with or without fines under broadly-written morality laws.[32][40] 		No No No No No No
Libya Libya No Illegal since 1953
Penalty: Up to 5 years in jail or vigilante execution.[41][42] 		No No No No No No
Madeira Madeira
(Autonomous region of Portugal) 		Yes Legal since 1983
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		Yes De facto union since 2001[43][44] Yes Legal since 2010[45] Yes Legal since 2016[46][47][48] Yes Portugal responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[37] Yes Since 2011, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[49]
Melilla Melilla
(Autonomous city of Spain) 		Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		Yes De facto union since 2008[50] Yes Legal since 2005[34] Yes Legal since 2005[35] Yes Spain responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[51] Yes Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[38]
Morocco Morocco
(including Southern Provinces) 		No Illegal since 1962
Penalty: Up to 3 to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour.[32][52] 		No No No No No No
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
(Disputed territory; excluding Southern Provinces) 		No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment.[32][53][54] 		No No No No No No
Sudan Sudan No Illegal since 1899 (as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan)
Penalty: Life imprisonment for a third offense of anal sex.[55] 		No No No No No No
Tunisia Tunisia No Illegal since 1913 (as the French protectorate of Tunisia)
Penalty: 3 years imprisonment.[32][56]
[57] 		No No No No No No

Western Africa

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Benin Benin Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country);[32][58]
Age of consent discrepancy[32] 		No No No No
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Yes Legal, Criminalization pending since 2024 (Law hasn't come into effect yet) [59] No No Constitutional ban since 1991 No No
Cape Verde Cape Verde Yes Legal since 2004
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[32]
The Gambia Gambia No Illegal since 1888 (as the Gambia Colony and Protectorate)
Penalty: Up to Iife imprisonment.[32][60][61] 		No No No No No No Forms of gender expression criminalized since 2013[62]
Ghana Ghana
No No No No No No
Guinea Guinea No Illegal since 1988
Penalty: 6 months to 10 years imprisonment.[67] 		No No No No No No
Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau Yes Legal since 1993[32]
+ UN decl. sign. 		No No No No
Ivory Coast Ivory Coast Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country);
Age of consent discrepancy[32] 		No No No No
Liberia Liberia No Illegal since 1976
Penalty: 1 year imprisonment.[32][68] (repeal proposed)[69] 		No No No No No No
Mali Mali Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[32] No No Constitutional ban since 2023[70] No No No[71]
Mauritania Mauritania No No Illegal since 1983
Penalty: Capital punishment for men, (not enforced); prison and a fine for women.[32][72] 		No No No No No No
Niger Niger Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country);
Age of consent discrepancy[32] 		No No No No No[71]
Nigeria Nigeria No Illegal since 1904 (Northern Region only)
Illegal since 1916 (Region-wide)
Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment.
No Death in the states of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. (not enforced)[32][73][61] 		No No Statutory ban since 2013 No No No No Forms of gender expression criminalized in Sharia provinces.
Saint Helena Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		Yes Legal since 2017 Yes Legal since 2017[74][75] Yes Legal since 2017 Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination
Senegal Senegal No Illegal since 1966
Penalty: 1 to 5 years imprisonment.[32][76] 		No No No No No No
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone No Male illegal since 1861 (as the Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate)
Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (Not enforced, repeal disputed).
Yes Female always legal
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		No No No No No No
Togo Togo No Illegal since 1980
Penalty: Fine and 3 years imprisonment [32] (repeal proposed)[77] 		No No No No No No

Central Africa

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Cameroon Cameroon No Illegal since 1972
Penalty: Fines to 5 years imprisonment.[32][61] or vigilante execution and torture,[78] (repeal proposed) [79] 		No No No No No No
Central African Republic Central African Republic Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[32]
+ UN decl. sign. 		No No Constitutional ban since 2016[80] No No No[71]
Chad Chad No Illegal since 2017
Penalty: Between 3 months and 2 years in prison, with fines of 50,000 to 500,000 FCFA. (Penal Code, Chapter 2, Article 354) [81] 		No No No No No No[71]
Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[32] No No Constitutional ban since 2006 No No No
Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country);
Age of consent discrepancy[32] 		No No No No No[71]
Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[32] No No No No No[71]
Gabon Gabon Yes Legal since 2020[82];
Age of consent discrepancy,
+ UN decl. sign. 		No No No No
São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé and Príncipe Yes Legal since 2012
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[83]

Eastern Africa

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Burundi Burundi No Illegal since 2009
Penalty: fine, and 3 months to 2 years imprisonment. [32][84] (repeal disputed) 		No No Constitutional ban since 2005 No No No No
Djibouti Djibouti Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country) [32][85] No No No No No[71]
Eritrea Eritrea No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment.[32][86] or vigilate execution[87] Beatings and torture are also tolerated.[88][89] 		No No No No No No
Ethiopia Ethiopia No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 15 years. [32] (repeal disputed) [90] 		No No Statutory ban since 2009[91] No No No No
Kenya Kenya No Illegal since 1897 (as the East Africa Protectorate)
Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed) [32][61][92] 		No No Constitutional ban since 2010[93] No No Yes/No Limited protection following legal process by the authorities.[94] Yes[95]
Rwanda Rwanda Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[32]
+ UN decl. sign. 		No No Constitutional ban since 2003 No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination.[96] No
Somalia Somalia No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 3 years prison.
Jubaland Jubaland No Illegal. Penalty: Up to death in Jubaland.[citation needed] 		No No No No No No
Somaliland Somaliland
(Disputed territory) 		No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 3 years prison, sometimes death sentences.[97] 		No No No No No No
South Sudan South Sudan No Illegal since 1899 (as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan)
Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment. (not enforced) [32][61] 		No No Constitutional ban since 2011[citation needed] No No No No Forms of gender expression are criminalized.
Tanzania Tanzania No Illegal since 1864 (only Zanzibar)
Illegal since 1899
Penalty: Up to life imprisonment.[32][61] Vigilante executions, beatings and torture[98][99] are also tolerated. 		No No No No No No
Uganda Uganda No No Male illegal since 1902 (as Protectorate)
Female illegal since 2000
Penalty: Life imprisonment, Death penalty in some cases, Beatings, torture, or vigilante execution. [100][101] 		No No Constitutional ban since 2005 No No No No

Indian Ocean states

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Comoros Comoros No Illegal since 1982
Penalty: 5 years imprisonment and fines. (not enforced)[32][102] 		No No No No No No[71]
French Southern and Antarctic Lands French Southern and Antarctic Lands
(Overseas territory of France) 		Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the territory)[32] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[citation needed] Yes Legal since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Under French law
Madagascar Madagascar Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country);
Age of consent discrepancy[32] 		No No No No
Mauritius Mauritius Yes Legal since 2023[103]
+ UN decl. sign. 		No No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[104][105]
Mayotte Mayotte
(Overseas region of France) 		Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the region)[32] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 2007 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Under French law
Réunion Réunion
(Overseas region of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791[32] Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Under French law
Seychelles Seychelles Yes Legal since 2016[106]
+ UN decl. sign. 		No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[32]

Southern Africa

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Angola Angola Yes Legal since 2021 [107] No No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[108] May possibly change gender under the Código do Registro Civil 2015[109]
Botswana Botswana No Legal since 2019 [110] No No No No(Only LGB) Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Legal gender change recognized as a constitutional right since 2017[111]
Eswatini Eswatini No Male illegal since the 1880s (not enforced, repeal proposed)[112]
Penalty: Unknown
Yes Female always legal[32][61] 		No No No No No No
Lesotho Lesotho Yes Male legal since 2012
Female always legal[32] 		No No No No May possibly change gender under the National Identity Cards Act 9 of 2011[113]
Malawi Malawi No Illegal since 1891 (as British Central Africa Protectorate)[61]
Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment, with or without corporal punishment for men
up to 5 years imprisonment for women (repeal proposed)[32][114][61][115][116] 		No No No No No No
Mozambique Mozambique Yes Legal since 2015[117][118] No No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[32][104]
Namibia Namibia Yes Legal since 2024[119] No/Yes Foreign same-sex marriages recognised[citation needed]. No/Yes Foreign same-sex marriages recognised[citation needed]. No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination.[120] Yes Under the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act 81 of 1963[121]
South Africa South Africa Yes Male legal since 1998
Female always legal; equal age of consent since 2007
+ UN decl. sign.[32] 		Yes Limited recognition of unregistered partnerships since 1998; same-sex marriage since 2006 Yes Legal since 2006 Yes Legal since 2002 Yes Since 1998 Yes Constitution bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Anti-discrimination laws are interpreted to include gender identity[citation needed]; legal gender may be changed after surgical or medical treatment
Zambia Zambia No Illegal since 1911 (as part of the British South Africa Company rule of Rhodesia)
Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed)[32][61][122] 		No No No No No No
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe No Male illegal since 1891 (as part of the British South Africa Company rule of Rhodesia)
Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed)[123]
Yes Female always legal[32][61] 		No No Constitutional ban since 2013[124] No No No No


See also

References

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