African identities

Seychelles parliament votes to decriminalize homosexuality

Seychelles’ Parliament this week voted to decriminalize sex between consensual gay and lesbian partners, a major victory for the Indian Ocean archipelago’s LGBT community. The Parliament passed the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill. Prior to the vote, homosexuality was a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison

Published

8 years ago

May 20, 2016

This Is Africa

The Seychelles has decriminalised consensual gay sex, after parliament voted to amend a penal code, which outlawed gay sexual activity. Prior to the vote, homosexuality was a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Section 151 of the Seychelles Penal Code criminalized homosexuality. With the latest development, Seychelles becomes only one of the few African countries to allow homosexuality.

In July last year, Mozambique scrapped a colonial law, which prohibited homosexuality in the country. Only a few other African countries have decriminalized same-sex activity in the past few years, Lesotho (legalised in 2012) being one of them.

Read: Mozambique decriminalises homosexuality

While there seems to be progress, homosexuality in many parts of the continent remains a controversial and divisive issue and hate crimes against the LGBT community happen far too often.

Photo: DailyBuzzLive.com

Last year, the government of Malawi announced it had imposed a ban on anti-homosexual laws pending a decision on whether to repeal the legislation. However, a high court in the county later reversed the government ruling, which suspended the law criminalising homosexual acts.

Even in Seychelles, the issue remains contentious. The country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Joel Morgan weighed in on the debate on homosexuality, morality and religion. Morgan was quoted saying, “A sin is not determined by the government, but by religion. Each individual needs to follow his or her conscience on the issue [of homosexuality]”.

While Seychelles’ decision to decriminalise homosexuality is being welcomed and celebrated on social media, it has also caused a deep consternation from cultural and religious conservatives within the country.

Mixed reactions to the vote.

Great news today from the #Seychelles, where homosexuality is not a crime anymore! #LoveAlwaysWins pic.twitter.com/HevhWiqNMk
— Mathias Wasik (@mathiaswasik) May 18, 2016
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