LGBTQ rights in Gabon

LGBTQ rights in Gabon
Gabon
StatusLegal 1960-2019, again since 2020, unequal age of consent[1]
Gender identityNo
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsNo
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo
AdoptionNo

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Gabon face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Except for a period between July 2019 and June 2020, same-sex sexual activity has generally been legal in Gabon.

Same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples and LGBTQ persons face stigmatization among the broader population.[2][3]

In December 2008, Gabon co-sponsored and signed the non-binding UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity which called for the global decriminalization of homosexuality. It was one of only six African countries to do so.[4] In 2011, however, Gabon voted against a joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, a statement which was condemning violence and discrimination against LGBTQ people.[5]

  1. ^ "WIPOLex". wipolex.wipo.int. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  2. ^ "State-Sponsored Homophobia" (PDF). ILGA. May 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  3. ^ Mussavu, Alix-Ida (29 October 2019). "Homosexualité : Le nouveau Code pénal sanctionne la pratique". Gabon Review. Gabon Review. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Statement on human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity" (PDF). United Nations. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  5. ^ "17/19 Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity". Retrieved 18 December 2013.