On this page, you will find:
Legal Framework
Both male and female same-sex acts are legal under the new Penal Code of 1993.
In 2008, Guinea-Bissau became one of the 66 countries to sign the UN Statement on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity in support of decriminalisation of homosexuality and transgender identity.
Rules on the age of consent are equal between homosexuals and heterosexuals.
For more detailed information on the protection of LGBTQI+ rights in Guinea-Bissau, visit the Guinea-Bissau ILGA World Database.
According to the 2012 US State Department report, there have been no incidents or human rights abuses targeting LGBTI persons or instances of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity in employment, education or health care. Differences in the treatment of LGBTI persons can be seen in government guidelines for civil servants’ housing allowances, given that only heterosexual married couples are entitled to family-size housing.
While social taboos may somewhat restrict freedom to express sexual orientation, Guinea-Bissau is generally tolerant of consensual same-sex conduct, according to the Global Gayz.
We do not currently list any case law on LGBTQI+ rights in Guinea-Bissau. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
Organisations supporting LGBTQI+ individuals
We do not currently list any NGOs working with LGBTQI+ persons in Guinea-Bissau, but would welcome suggestions. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
Country of Origin experts in LGBTQI+ rights
Email: benlaw@email.arizona.edu
Professor of History at the University of Arizona
Benjamin N. Lawrance is the former Conable Chair in International Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology and is currently a professor of history at the University of Arizona.He has conducted field research in West Africa since 1997 and published extensively about political and social conditions. He has served as an expert witness in the asylum cases for over 130 West Africans in the US, Europe and Canada which have involved human trafficking, citizenship, statelessness, female genital cutting, gender issues, gender identity, ethnic and religious violence, and witchcraft accusations.
Guinea-Bissau Legal Assistance
Find organisations providing legal assistance to refugees in Guinea-Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau COI
Find Guinea-Bissau Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023
