12 men arrested in Senegal for gay sex
High profile entertainers included in Dakar investigation.
Police in Dakar have charged 12 men in relation to gay sex. The men have been remanded in custody and the police have published their names in an exercise of public shaming.
Two of the men arrested are local media personalities, with big followings on social media.
It's not clear how the police investigation began, but local media are reporting that police identified the men through a WhatsApp group and charged them with "voluntary transmission of HIV/AIDS through unprotected sexual intercourse" - which seems to be another way of saying that police allege that the men were having sex with each other.
Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal and can be punished with imprisonment of up to five years.
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Senegal?
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Senegal? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is homosexuality legal in Senegal?
No. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. It can be punished by imprisonment of up to five years.
Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people in Senegal?
No. There are no protections against discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.
Is there Marriage Equality in Senegal?
No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Senegal?
Senegal is a socially conservative country. Homophobia is systemic.
LGBTQ people conceal their sexuality.
There are numerous examples of LGBTQ people being persecuted and harassed.
