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# Gabon decriminalise same-sex relations
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gabon-decriminalise-same-sex-relations/
- Published: 2020-07-08T15:30:02.000Z
- Updated: 2020-07-08T13:02:20.000Z
- Description: In a landmark decision on Monday, July 6, the Senate of Gabon voted to decriminalise same-sex relations with 59 votes in favour, 17 against and four abstentions. OutRight Action International comments…
- Author: Contributor
- Tags: Community, Information, News, Politics, Queer Corner, Travel, equality, OutRight, Outright Action International

[![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo_outright600400.png)](https://www.gscene.com/news/german-bundestag-approves-ban-on-conversion-therapy-to-minors/attachment/logo%5Foutright600400-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

In a landmark decision on **Monday, July 6**, the **Senate of Gabon** voted to decriminalise same-sex relations with 59 votes in favour, 17 against and four abstentions. The move to decriminalise was supported by the lower **House of Parliament** on **Tuesday, June 23**.

Unlike numerous countries across the African continent, Gabon did not have a colonial-era ban on same-sex relations. Instead, a ban had been introduced in 2019 criminalising same-sex relations between both men and women. This ban has now been reversed. The reversal of the ban has been met with controversy and a strong backlash from religious leaders and others, leading to mounting hate speech and driving LGBTQ+ activists and people into hiding for fear of retaliation.

**Jessica Stern**, Executive Director of LGBTQ+ human rights organisation OutRight Action International, comments: “*We commend both Houses of Parliament of Gabon on repealing a ban on same-sex relations.*

*‘It is shocking that over a third of the world’s countries continue to criminalise same-sex love, in stark contrast to basic human dignity and international human rights standards.*

*‘The decision in Gabon decreases the total number of countries criminalising same-sex relations by one. This is not only an affirmation of the right of LGBTQ+ people in Gabon to love whom they choose, but also an inspiration to activists in countries in which these bans still exist or are being considered.*

*‘We hope to see authorities in Gabon take steps to reduce hate speech and promote acceptance of its LGBTQ+ citizens.*”

[![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/lgbt_flag_map_of_gabon600400.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/)

Sixty-seven countries continue to criminalise same-sex relations across the world, **Egypt**, **Indonesia** and **Equatorial Guinea** are considering new bans, and territorial bans also exist in a number of places. In May 2019 the High Court in **Kenya** decided to maintain a colonial era ban on same-sex relations. A colonial-era ban was overturned in the High Court in **Botswana** in June 2019, but the government is appealing this decision. In March 2020 the High Court in **Singapore** dismissed challenges to its ban on same-sex relations.

**For more information on OutRight Action International, [visit their website](https://outrightinternational.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk).**