Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBT people have had around the world. As well as being a month long celebration, Pride month is also an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the community.
Africa is still a difficult place for the LGBTQ+ community
Colonial laws, religious morality, and the idea that homosexuality is imported by the West are are the main reasons that most influence against the lgbt community. Of the 71 countries worldwide that criminalize homosexuality, 32 of them are in Africa, where punishments range from imprisonment to the death penalty in countries such as Mauritania and Sudan.
Around 93% of sub-Saharan Africans are either Christian (63%) or Muslim (30%), making the continent one of the most religious in the world. These beliefs influence many facets of people's lives, including their attitudes to LGBTQ+ communities.
"Most religious texts say that homosexuality is sin. "More religious people are more likely to take these religious precepts seriously. When a large proportion of people are highly dedicated to their religion, everyone within the country tends to develop more conservative views."
Muslim and Christian leaders are often vocally opposed to gay sex, and studies show that African media often quote a religious official when discussing homosexuality. Africa's elites, which include political, religious and community leaders, often claim that homosexual practices are an imported evil. Long-term Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe called homosexuality "un-African" and a "white disease".
Although homosexuality is still a taboo in many African societies, advocates, victims and activists work every day as human rights defenders to bring more justice and equality. For instance, Angola followed other countries that have already decriminalized homosexuality, such as the former Portuguese colony Mozambique in 2015, Cape Verde in 2014 – by the new Código Penal approved in November 2003 – and Seychelles in 2016.
According to the Gazetta, Angola’s new penal code came into force on Feb. 10, 2021. The Code also introduced sexual orientation protections and mentioned sexual orientation and gender identity in hate speech clauses. These changes represented a new beginning and gave hope to LGBTQI+ communities in Africa.
Angola officially decriminalizes homosexuality
The new text of the Angolan law, after 2019, provides that homosexuality is officially decriminalized, as well as LGBT Q can enjoy all rights equally, such as comprehensive health, education and obtaining jobs, without discrimination due to sexual orientation.
Angola has finally enacted its new penal code, which is against discrimination against Angolans LGBTQ. “This is an act of sovereignty by the Angolan State which, after 134 years of rule in the penal and criminal domain, with a code that had been in force since 1886. The new Angolan penal rules replace the Penal Code still from the time of the Portuguese colonial administration. , dated 1886, in which, from the outset, in paragraph 4 of article 71, it is established that security measures (detention) will be applied "to those who habitually indulge in the practice of vices against nature".
The new law states that individuals found discriminating against another on the basis of sexual orientation will face imprisonment of up to two years. While at least 70 other countries in the world still maintain that homosexuality is criminal, this is undoubtedly a huge win for the LGBT community in Angola whose collective groundwork has finally resulted in this historic moment.
LGBT rights in Angola
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Angola have seen improvements in the early half of the twenty-first century. In November 2020, the National Assembly approved a new penal code, which legalized consenting same-sex sexual activity.
Additionally, employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned,[3] making Angola one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people.
Some NGOs in Angola, that are involved in HIV/AIDS education, are beginning to work with the LGBT community, and there are no reports of LGBT people being specifically targeted for harassment in Angola by police or vigilante groups. Additionally, two specific LGBT groups operate in Angola. However, only one of these groups has received official and legal recognition.
Many people around the world including UN, welcome Angola’s repeal of anti-gay law, and ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation
There are still cross-cutting prejudices
Although in Angola, discriminating against homosexuals or lesbians is a crime. In Malanje the reality is different. Prejudices across society make life for innocent citizens hell. The free sexual orientation of community members is rejected by individuals who worship traditional values.
In the Angolan province of Malanje, the LGBTQ+ community lives the daily drama of non-acceptance. Conservative groups go so far as to demand severe punishment for people who want the right to free sexual orientation. This, despite the fact that whoever utters hate speech and encourages violence is committing a crime.
To end these taboos, we must continue to promote social campaigns aimed at re-educating and sensitizing local communities.
Sexual and gender diversity deserve to be celebrated, instead of being a reason to exclude citizens from their rights and dignity,” said Rangers. “Angola is an example on the African region that criminalizes discrimination based on sexual orientation, including in the workplace and for the Human Rights National Strategy, which clearly mentions LGBT people.
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