LGBTQ rights in Somalia

See also: LGBT rights in Somaliland
LGBTQ rights in Somalia
Current (September 2024) political and military control in Somali Civil War (2009–present)
Status
Penalty
  • Sharia: Capital punishment[3][4]
  • Civil law: Prison sentences from 3 months – 3 years[2][5]
Gender identityNo
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsNo
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo recognition of same-sex unions
AdoptionNo

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Somalia face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women.[6] In areas controlled by al-Shabab, and in Jubaland, capital punishment is imposed for such sexual activity.[7][8] In other areas, where Sharia does not apply, the civil law code specifies prison sentences of up to three years as penalty.[9] LGBTQ people are regularly prosecuted by the government[9] and additionally face stigmatization among the broader population. Stigmatization and criminalisation of homosexuality in Somalia occur in a legal and cultural context where 99% of the population follow Islam as their religion,[10] while the country has had an unstable government and has been subjected to a civil war for decades.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference stlaw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference ilga 2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference indy 2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference dont BBC 2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference forbes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Somalia LGBT Laws". Pride Legal. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  7. ^ Botha, Kellyn; ILGA World (December 2021). "Somalia". In Lucas Ramón Mendos (ed.). Our identities under arrest: A global overview on the enforcement of laws criminalising consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults and diverse gender expressions (PDF) (Report) (in English and Spanish) (First ed.). Geneva: ILGA. pp. 100–101. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023.
  8. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania. "Death penalties if you're gay". Gay Star News — The Central Voice. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Somalia". Human Dignity Trust. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Islam in Somalia". rpl.hds.harvard.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2023.