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LGBTQ rights in the Republic of the Congo

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LGBTQ rights in the Republic of the Congo
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the Republic of the Congo face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female expressions of homosexuality are legal in the Republic of the Congo, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples, with reports of discrimination and abuses towards LGBTQ people.

Quick facts Legal status, Gender identity ...
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Laws regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex relationships have been legal in the Republic of the Congo since 1940. The text of the 1940 Penal Code, as amended in 2006, only prohibits same-sex sexual behaviour with a person younger than 21 years. There is an unequal age of consent, with it being 18 for opposite-sex sexual activity.[1]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

There is no legal recognition of same-sex unions.[citation needed]

Discrimination protections

There is no broad legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, some limited protections based on sexual orientation regarding personal data are in place.

  • Article 19 of Law No. 27-2020 on the Fight against Cybercrime states "Anyone who, except in the cases provided for by law, places or stores on a computer medium or memory, without the express consent of the person concerned, personal data revealing, directly or indirectly, the person's ethnic origin, political, philosophical, or religious opinions, or trade union membership, or relating to the person's health or sexual orientation, shall be punished by imprisonment of at least one year to a maximum of five years and a fine of one million to ten million CFA francs, or both."[2]
  • Articles 8, 10 and 15 of Decree No. 2025-66 relating to the Personal data of Air Passengers protects sexual orientation.[3]
  • Law No. 29-2019 on the Protection of Personal Data protects a person's sexual life as sensitive and personal data in its Articles 4, 14 and 40.[4]

Living conditions

The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that,[5]

There was not a large openly gay or lesbian community due to the social stigma associated with homosexuality ... There were no known cases of violence or discrimination against gays, lesbians, or transgendered individuals during the year. While discrimination may exist due to the social stigma surrounding homosexuality, no such cases were reported to the NGOs or covered by the media.

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Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes (Since 1940)
Equal age of consent No (Since 1947)[6]
Anti-discrimination laws in hate speech and violence No
Anti-discrimination laws in employment No
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No
Same-sex marriage No
Recognition of same-sex couples No
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples No
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military No
Right to change legal gender No
Conversion therapy made illegal No
Access to IVF for lesbians No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No
MSMs allowed to donate blood No
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See also

References

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