Lifestyle: These are African countries ‘homosexual union’ would be legalised if a referendum is conducted

Some of these are most likely to give its first homosexual marriage.

Africa is one continent noted to be more tolerant for differences in ethnicity, religion and nationality, but when it comes to the issue of homosexual activities, the region has been said to be the most hostile.

Following the referendum victory of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) rights campaigners in Australia, many people have started pushing for the same process in Africa. And there are many countries in the continent that would likely get same result if referendum is conducted.

The most prominent of the arguments by antagonists of LGBT rights is that the practice is never African. However, this has been disputed by historical facts which show that many tribes in the continent have homosexual activities as one of their cultures.

The tribes of Moru, Nyima and Tira in Egypt, Maale people of southern Ethiopia and many others to the Dagaaba people, who lived in Burkina Faso have homosexuality accepted in their cultural practice.

Here are modern African countries where homosexual activities are legal, and if such referendum should hold LGBT campaigners are most likely to win.

1.    Mozambique

LGBT activities in Mozambique have been declared legal by law since 2015. In the Southern African country, being a homosexual is not a crime, but the union between practising partners has not been legalized by the law while it is however silent on it.

2.    South Africa

For South Africa, female engagements in homosexual acts have always been legal and supported by law in the country. However, male participation (gay) was just legalized by the law in 1998.

3.    Cape Verde

Cape Verde is only the country that has a law protecting discrimination against homosexual in Africa. All homosexual activities and their rights have been legal in the country since 2004.

The country has one of the most comprehensive laws detailing relationship with LGBT and also offering them decent living chances among other people.

4.    Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea has one of the oldest laws legalising homosexual acts in Africa. The activities of LGBT has been made lawful since 1968. However, there is no law-based protection for homosexuals in the country.

5.     Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is an Island territory overseas by the United Kingdom. The territory accord homosexuals all right and made their acts lawful without discrimination.

Homosexual activities have been legalized in the territory since 2001. 

6.    Sao Tome and Principe

The island nation of Sao Tome and Principe has legalized homosexual acts since 2012. Also, there is limited protection for LGBT in the country.

7.    Rwanda

In Rwanda, homosexual activities have been made legal since 1980. Also, the country has a robust system for protection of individuals engaging in the act.

8.     Lesotho

Female sexual activities have been legal for a long period due to cultural acceptance, but male involvements were only legal in 2012.

9.    Guinea Bissau

Just like other countries with constitutional recognition of LGBT activities in their countries, Guinea Bissau has given legal backing to the acts since 1993.

Other countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Central African Republic, Congo DRC, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Madagascar, allowed the activities albeit, with no legal backing.

SOURCE - PULSE.NG posted by Campus94