What’s life like for LGBT people in Gabon?

Gabon is a socially conservative country, but homosexuality was not criminalised until 2019. It was the revisions to the country’s Penal Code in 2019 that first prohibited same-sex sexual relations.

The Penal Code amendments introduced penalties of fines and up to six months imprisonment for people convicted of engaging in same-sex sexual relations.

Homosexuality was subsequently decriminalised in 2020.

Regardless of the legal status, homosexuality has generally been seen as a taboo topic.

There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships, and no anti-discrimination protections on the basis of sexuality.

What's the history of homosexuality in Gabon?

Amongst Bantu-speaking Pouhain farmers (Bene, Bulu, Fang, Jaunde, Mokuk, Mwele, Ntum and Pangwe) - which held territory in present-day Gabon - homosexual intercourse was known as bian nkû”ma. This was seen as a medicine for wealth which was transmitted through sexual activity between men.