LGBT rights in Ethiopia

LGBTQ rights in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
StatusIllegal[1]
PenaltyUp to 15 years to life imprisonment
Gender identityNo
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsNo
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo recognition of same-sex unions
AdoptionNo

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Ethiopia face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.[2][3] Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are illegal in the country,[4] with reports of high levels of discrimination and abuses against LGBT people.[5][6] Ethiopia has a long history of social conservatism and same-sex sexual activity is considered a cultural taboo.[7][3]

The majority of Ethiopians remain hostile towards LGBT identities and believe them to be a "Western perversion of their societal values".[8] Homosexual men are widely blamed for the claimed HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia. Discrimination and stigma are therefore commonplace and some Ethiopian LGBT people suppress their identity or flee as asylum seekers. According to the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project, 97 percent[8] of Ethiopians believed that homosexuality is something society should not accept. This was the second-highest rate of non-acceptance in the 45 countries surveyed.[9]

Gay and lesbian people do not openly serve in the army despite the lack of a law regarding service in the military. Booshtee is a derogatory term of gay person in Ethiopia, often interchangeably used as an insult for despicable being.[10]

  1. ^ Itaborahy, Lucas Paoli (May 2012). "State Sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws criminalising same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults" (PDF). The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. ^ Billson, Chantelle (12 August 2023). "Ethiopian authorities raid hotels over 'gay sex tip-offs' in anti-LGBTQ+ crackdown". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Schwikowski, Martina. "LGBTQ+ Ethiopians flee in the face of sudden crackdown". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Ethiopia LGBTI Resources | Rights in Exile Programme". www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Gay Friendly Hotels Addis Ababa Ethiopia: Top 3 (Updated 2021)". Kiki Journey. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Ethiopia". Human Dignity Trust. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b The number of adults (all were 18 to 64 years of age) surveyed in Ethiopia was 710, yielding a margin of error of 4 percent with a 95 percent confidence level.
  9. ^ ""Pew Global Attitudes Project", (pages 35, 81, and 117)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  10. ^ Overs, C. (April 2015). "Booshtee! Survival and Resilience in Ethiopia". Retrieved 9 May 2021.