Where is it illegal to be gay? The countries where homosexuality is still against the law

In many countries around the world, being gay is still against the law, and “criminals” face a range of punishments.

Some do not explicitly outlaw being gay, but gay people still face potential prosecution under vaguely-worded laws regarding “morality” or “decency.”

In some countries, being gay is illegal but the law or its punishments are not enforced. Gay people in these countries could still fall victim to these laws, should a change in government or policing occur.

Where is it still illegal to be gay?

Sentences range from fines to whipping to imprisonment, and in several cases, even the death penalty. These are the countries where – explicitly or otherwise  – being gay is still a crime.

Africa — Asia — Americas — Europe — Oceania

Africa

Algeria

Illegal for men and women
Illegal since the implementation of Sharia Law in 1966. “Homosexual acts” are explicitly illegal under Articles 338 and 333 of Algerian law.
Punishment: Fines of up to 10,000 dinars, up to three years in prison
Extrajudicial killings of LGBT people by vigilante groups are tolerated by the authorities

Angola

Not explicitly illegal for men or women
Since the Province of Angola days, the law has banned “acts against nature” since 1886, but the penal code formally approved in 2017 does not outlaw consenting same-sex activity
Punishment: Imprisonment (rarely enforced)

Botswana

Illegal for men and women
Illegal since 1885, in the days of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Sections 164, 165 and 167 of the Botswana penal code explicitly ban so-called “unnatural offences”
Punishment: Up to 7 years in prison (not widely enforced)

Burundi

Illegal for men and women
Illegal since 2009, under Article 567 of the Burundi Penal Code.
Punishment: Up to two years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 francs

Cameroon

Illegal for men and women
Illegal since 1972, under section 347-1 of the legal code
Punishment: Up to 5 years’ imprisonment and fine of up to 200,000 francs
Extrajudicial killings of LGBT people by vigilante groups are tolerated by the authorities

Chad

Illegal for men and women
Illegal since 2017
Punishment: Up to two years’ imprisonment

Comoros

Illegal for men and women
Homosexual acts are considered to be “against nature”
Punishment: Up to five years’ imprisonment and 1,000,000 franc fine