LGBT rights in Guinea-Bissau
Encyclopedia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Guinea-Bissau face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT
residents. Both male and female homosexual acts are legal.
, though transgender rights are not known.
Male and female homosexual acts were previously illegal.
In December 2008, Guinea-Bissau
was one of 66 nations to sign a declaration at the United Nations supporting decriminalization of homosexuality and transgender identity.
The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "social taboos against homosexuality restricted freedom of sexual orientation. There were no reported violent incidents or human rights abuses targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation or identity. There was no official discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment or access to education and health care."
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
residents. Both male and female homosexual acts are legal.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Both male and female homosexual acts are legal in Guinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
, though transgender rights are not known.
Male and female homosexual acts were previously illegal.
In December 2008, Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
was one of 66 nations to sign a declaration at the United Nations supporting decriminalization of homosexuality and transgender identity.
Recognition of same-sex relationships
The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that, as of 2010, "the law only recognized heterosexual married couples as entitled to larger government housing."Living conditions
In line with most other former Portuguese African colonies, Guinea-Bissau is reported to be one of the most tolerant countries in Africa towards gays and lesbians.The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "social taboos against homosexuality restricted freedom of sexual orientation. There were no reported violent incidents or human rights abuses targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation or identity. There was no official discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment or access to education and health care."
See also
- LGBT rights in AfricaLGBT rights in AfricaLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights in Africa are limited in comparison to other areas of the world, with the BBC estimating that homosexuality is outlawed in 38 African countries...
- Human rights in AfricaHuman rights in AfricaHuman rights as a legal concept is a relatively recent notion in Africa. The United Nations System, international law and the African Union have certainly all contributed to the establishment of a human rights system in Africa, which has positively and indispensably influenced the advancement of...
- Homosexuality laws of the worldHomosexuality laws of the worldLaws affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people vary greatly by country or territory—everything from legal recognition of same-sex marriage or other types of partnerships, to the death penalty as punishment for same-sex sexual activity or identity.LGBT-related laws include but...