In recent months, hate speech, misinformation and violence have become the norm for LGBT+ people in French-Speaking Central and West Africa. Countries that were once considered relatively safe, are now experiencing a wave of homophobic and transphobic violence. In recent years, governments in several countries across the region have introduced or expanded anti-LGBT+ laws, including new criminalization measures in Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
This escalating crisis forces LGBT+ communities to endure constant fear and uncertainty. They navigate precarious realities where safety feels unattainable, and the threat of violence looms daily. Their stories, their fears and their hopes often go unreported. Not anymore! We want to overcome language barriers and highlight their lived realities, amplify their voices and rally global support for their fight for equality.
Explore their compelling stories and take action to support their struggle for equality.
Click on the maps to learn more about the country contexts below, and take action by signing the petitions.
The law is very cruel here and there are so many homophobes starting with our respective families. I have suffered abuse as a teenager until now and rejected by my family to the point of wanting me to die. In my professional field there is always discrimination.”
- Olivier from Cameroon
Society calls LGBT+ people crazy, possessed. They are thrown into prison without even being heard by the judicial authorities. Just because of what our society calls taboo, people are not free to lead their lives as they wish.”
- Anonymous from Cameroon
What are your biggest fears as an LGBT+ person or ally in your community?
“My fears are multiple, I'm afraid of being rejected by my family, I'm afraid that my community (my tribe, my church, my choir, the association groups I'm in) will discover who I really am, I'm afraid to find myself in prison because I wanted to express my feelings to one of my peers.”
- Anonymous from Cameroon
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“I want true equality of opportunity for everyone—a world where each person can live authentically without pretending to be someone they are not. I hope our leaders take measures to protect the lives and choices of every citizen equally, without discrimination or stigma. We deserve access to quality health care and a society that respects us wherever we are.”
- Anonymous from Cameroon
“My hopes generally include tolerance, recognition and legal protection, with the repeal of discriminatory laws and the implementation of anti-discrimination measures.”
- Franck from Cameroon
Cameroon criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. Sentences include a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine. There is substantial evidence of the law being routinely enforced in recent years, and LGBT+ people are regularly subjected to discrimination and violence.
Read more here.
It's really scary because I'm always the victim of harassment and insults on the road, and it's not easy. I was beaten. I have scars everywhere on my body, on my face, on my stomach everywhere. Really we are really suffering.”
- Bill from Côte d'Ivoire
What are your biggest fears as an LGBT+ person or ally in your community?
“Being hated by everyone”
- Kaboul from Côte d'Ivoire
“Our biggest fears right now include:
1. Being beaten, attacked, or even lynched;
2. Facing social exclusion during this anti-LGBT+ crisis;
3. Losing our jobs due to discrimination based on sexual orientation;
4. Being disowned by our families"
- Brice from Côte d'Ivoire
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“To be respected and accepted for who we are”
- Dydy from Côte d'Ivoire
“I want our situation to improve and for us to be accepted”
- Kaboul from Côte d'Ivoire
In Cote d'Ivoire consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults were never criminalized but discrimination is rife.
Read more here.
– within families, in social life, and by religious and customary leaders”
- Anonymous from Niger
What are your biggest fears as an LGBT+ person or ally in your community?
“Our fears are numerous:
• Disrespect and discrimination against LGBT+ people;
• The ongoing criminalization of homosexuality;
• Unemployment faced by LGBT+ people due to their sexual orientation”
- Anonymous from Niger
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“Empowering us to defend our rights as citizens and ensuring access to care in all health centers without discrimination or stigma.”
- Anonymous from Niger
In Niger same-sex sexual activity was never criminalized. However in February 2026, it was reported that a new Penal Code had been introduced that criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. Consensual same-sex relations are punishable by between five and ten years’ imprisonment and a fine. The law also provides for prison sentences of up to twenty years for same-sex marriage and for involvement in LGBT+ organizations or associations. LGBT+ people face growing discrimination, fear, and the risk of arrest and prosecution.
Read more here.
“The situation of LGBT+ people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is marked by a complex mix of social, political and cultural discrimination. Although homosexuality is not explicitly criminalized by the Congolese Penal Code, sexual and gender minorities live under constant threat. LGBT+ people face physical, psychological and verbal violence, both in the private and public sphere.
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“Despite the many challenges we face, I have concrete hopes for a future where the rights of LGBTQ+ people will be respected and protected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These hopes rest on the progress made in other regions, local efforts, and the resilience of our community.”
-Sirius from DRC
In the Democratic Republic of Congo consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults were never criminalized, but discrimination is heightened. There has been an intense crackdown on LGBT+ people.
Read more here.
“Witch hunt, fear, violence, marginalization, injustice, I can't finish listing everything we are facing.
What is the current situation for LGBT+ people in your country?
"As Executive Director of FEV (Femme Espoir et Vie), an organization run by and for lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women in Burkina Faso, I have witnessed a worrying deterioration in the situation of LGBTQI+ people since the criminalization of homosexuality.
This law has reinforced the stigma, discrimination, and threats against LGBTQI+ people. Our community has documented several cases of arbitrary arrests, summonses to the police station under false pretenses, and reports of alleged abductions by masked men targeting people perceived as LGBTQI+.
Our organization also faces increasing challenges in ensuring the safety of its members and continuing its support activities. The main challenge today is guaranteeing the protection and well-being of LGBTQI+ people in an increasingly hostile environment." - Sandrine from Burkina Faso
_______
"The situation of LGBT+ people in Burkina Faso is extremely worrying today. Beyond social stigma and discrimination, many live in fear due to threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and a lack of effective protection." - Angels from Burkina Faso
What are your biggest fears as an LGBT+ person or ally in your community?
“I fear that one day the fact that I am gay will put my family in great danger. Since investigations are carried out on people suspected of being LGBT+ and they are exposed to violence.” - Anonymous from Burkina Faso
_______
"My greatest fear is being arrested, assaulted, or targeted because of my actual or perceived sexual orientation and my advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights. I also fear for the safety of our organization's members, who live under the constant threat of violence, denunciation, arbitrary arrest, and rejection from family or community." - Sandrine from Burkina Faso
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"My greatest fears as an LGBT+ person and human rights defender are primarily about my physical safety, my freedom, and the freedom of people in my community.
After the events I have personally experienced, including searches conducted at my home, pressure exerted on my family, and problems encountered with security forces, I fear being arbitrarily arrested, detained, or subjected to violence because of my true identity or my community involvement.
Another major concern is the disappearance of members of our community. Several LGBT+ people have disappeared under disturbing circumstances, and we still don't know what has become of them. This situation fuels a climate of constant fear and forces many people to live in hiding or restrict their movements." - Angels from Burkina Faso
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“I want just one thing: to live in peace. I want to wake up without a knot in my stomach, to go outside and buy something without fear of being marginalized, insulted, ridiculed, or even assaulted..” - Anonymous from Burkina Faso
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"My hope is to see a Burkina Faso where LGBTQI+ people can live in safety, without fear of arrest, violence, or discrimination. I hope that the fundamental rights of all people will be respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that LGBTQI+ people will have equal access to justice, healthcare, employment, and state protection.
I also hope for a shift in attitudes, fostering greater tolerance, respect, and dignity for everyone." - Sandrine from Burkina Faso
_______
"Today in Burkina Faso, the primary hope for the future of LGBT+ people is above all the ability to live in safety. With the recent criminalization of same-sex relations and the “promotion” of LGBT+ rights, the priority has become avoiding violence, arrests, and daily fear.
Many also hope that, even though the legal framework is currently harsh, it can evolve in the long term toward greater respect for human dignity and privacy, so that no one is harassed for who they are in their personal life.
Another hope, often discreet but important, is for a reduction in social stigma. Even in contexts where the law does not change quickly, attitudes can gradually evolve over time, especially through education, dialogue, and a better understanding of human rights.
Finally, some hope that in the future, healthcare, protection from violence, and access to essential services can be guaranteed for all, without exclusion. In the current context, these hopes are often expressed cautiously, as the situation is sensitive and can be risky for those involved." - Angels from Burkina Faso
In 2025, Burkina Faso criminalized consensual same-sex sexual activity for the first time. The law includes prison sentences and fines, marking a major escalation in anti-LGBT+ repression in the country.
Read more here.
LGBT people are often perceived as a threat to family, marriage and procreation, which leads to discrimination.
They are excluded from professional, family, and social circles and their physical and moral integrity is always threatened."
- Mahamat from Chad
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“My hope for the future is to see a Chad with equality for all and a system of access to care without discrimination for my community.”
- Mahamat from Chad
Chad criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. Sentences include a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine.
Read more here.
It hurts my heart very much thinking that this cannot stop one day. I am very sad that we LGBT+ people have to suffer at the hands of homophobes . I am very afraid and I would like to leave and live in peace elsewhere. - Anonymous from Togo
What are your biggest fears as an LGBT+ person or ally in your community?
“Death” - Anonymous from Togo
Togo criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. Sentences include a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine.
Read more here.
we are singled out, we are called an abomination because of our sexual orientation, we are kicked out of our family homes, we are despised by those around us, even finding work is difficult for us, the police are tracking us. Like criminals we live all the time in secret and we can't even enjoy our life as lovers. It's really sad for us.”
- DsD from Senegal
Senegal criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. In 2026, the government passed a new law doubling the maximum prison sentence from five to ten years and criminalizing the “promotion” and “financing” of LGBT+ activities. In recent months, arrests and prosecutions have sharply increased, and LGBT+ people are regularly subjected to discrimination, violence, and harassment.
Read more here.
What are your biggest fears as an LGBT+ person or ally in your community?
“Go to prison or be forced into marriage”
- Perry from Mali
What are your hopes for the future of LGBT+ rights in your country?
“Minimal ”
- Perry from Mali
In 2024, Mali’s military government criminalized consensual same-sex sexual activity for the first time. The law also penalizes the so-called “promotion” of homosexuality, deepening fears of arrests, violence, and repression against LGBT+ people and allies.
Read more here.
In 2020, Gabon decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations, becoming one of the few countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to do so. Now, just six years later, a bill under review by the National Assembly's Committee on Laws would re-criminalize same-sex relations, with penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to 10 million CFA francs.
Read more here.
All Out is able to run campaigns like this one, and support the fight for equality thanks to the steadfast support of our members like you. Through a small monthly donation, you can give us the support we need to jump into action and fight tirelessly for the safety and dignity of LGBT+ people in Africa, and around the world.
