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Studies conducted in Sierra Leone reveal a strong prevalence of homophobic beliefs, raising alarm about the well-being and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals..

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History

Homosexual activity in Sierra Leone

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Homosexual activity in Sierra Leone is male illegal, female legal.

Current status
Since 1861
Male illegal, female legal
Male homosexuality is technically punishable with life imprisonment but is rarely enforced.
Details
Sources:
www.refugeelegalaidinformat…
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Same-sex marriage in Sierra Leone

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Same-sex marriage in Sierra Leone is banned.

Current status
Since 1861
Banned
Same sex marriage is not legal
Details
Sources:
www.loc.gov/law/help/crimin…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Sierra Leone

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Sierra Leone is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Sierra Leone, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Right to change legal gender in Sierra Leone

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Right to change legal gender in Sierra Leone is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No legal framework to change one's gender.
Details
Sources:
www.nationalgeographic.com/…
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Gender-affirming care in Sierra Leone

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Gender-affirming care in Sierra Leone is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Sierra Leone

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Sierra Leone is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
No legal recognition.
Details
Sources:
www.nationalgeographic.com/…
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LGBT discrimination in Sierra Leone

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LGBT discrimination in Sierra Leone is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2023
Illegal in some contexts
The Employment Act, 2023 bans discrimination based on "sexuality" and unfair dismissal based on an employee’s sexual orientation (92.1.f).
Details
Sources:
commons.laws.africa/akn/sl/…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Sierra Leone

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LGBT employment discrimination in Sierra Leone is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Sexual orientation only
The Employment Act, 2023 bans discrimination based on "sexuality" and unfair dismissal based on an employee’s sexual orientation (92.1.f).
Details
Sources:
commons.laws.africa/akn/sl/…
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Until May 11, 2023
No protections
Until 2023, Sierra Leone provided no protections from discrimination in employment to LGBTIQ+ people.
Details
Sources:
commons.laws.africa/akn/sl/…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Sierra Leone

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LGBT housing discrimination in Sierra Leone is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Same-sex adoption in Sierra Leone

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Same-sex adoption in Sierra Leone is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Intersex infant surgery in Sierra Leone

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Intersex infant surgery in Sierra Leone is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Sierra Leone.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/sierra-le…
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Serving openly in military in Sierra Leone

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Serving openly in military in Sierra Leone is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Homosexuality is currently illegal.
Details
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
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Blood donations by MSMs in Sierra Leone

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Blood donations by MSMs in Sierra Leone is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Sierra Leone

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Conversion therapy in Sierra Leone is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/sierra-le…
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Equal age of consent in Sierra Leone

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Equal age of consent in Sierra Leone is equal.

Current status
Equal
Under the Sexual Offenses Act 2012.
Details
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_…
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LGBT Rights by Province

View the LGBT laws in each individual province of Sierra Leone.

    Equality Index ?
    16 / 100
    Legal Rights
    24 / 100
    Public Opinion
    7 / 100

    Equality Rank

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    #168
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    Top Contributors

    2 Users Live in Sierra Leone

    benedictmarah
    VincSL

    Sierra Leone LGBT Organizations

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    Compare Sierra Leone

    32

    Compare with
    Benin

    19

    Compare with
    Burkina Faso

    65

    Compare with
    Cape Verde

    25

    Compare with
    Côte d’Ivoire

    8

    Compare with
    Gambia

    20

    Compare with
    Ghana

    15

    Compare with
    Guinea

    35

    Compare with
    Guinea-Bissau

    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Sierra Leone?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Sierra Leone?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Sierra Leone?

    LGBT Rights in Western Africa

    32

    LGBT Rights in
    Benin

    19

    LGBT Rights in
    Burkina Faso

    65

    LGBT Rights in
    Cape Verde

    25

    LGBT Rights in
    Côte d’Ivoire

    8

    LGBT Rights in
    Gambia

    20

    LGBT Rights in
    Ghana

    15

    LGBT Rights in
    Guinea

    35

    LGBT Rights in
    Guinea-Bissau

    19

    LGBT Rights in
    Liberia

    8

    LGBT Rights in
    Mali

    11

    LGBT Rights in
    Mauritania

    26

    LGBT Rights in
    Niger

    6

    LGBT Rights in
    Nigeria

    93

    LGBT Rights in
    Saint Helena

    4

    LGBT Rights in
    Senegal

    10

    LGBT Rights in
    Togo