Being gay in Africa

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It’s illegal in around 30 countries in Africa to be in a same-sex relationship and recently there’s been political debate in places such as Uganda and Ghana around stricter laws. We’ve also reported on the BBC in the past few months about violence against LGBT people in Kenya and Egypt, for example. The proposed new law in Uganda is awaiting the president’s assent, and if approved, it may see people who identify as gay, lesbian or queer imprisoned for life. We’ve spent the past few weeks making contact with some of those who are affected. Despite their fears, people have been willing to join our discussions about their experiences. Host James Reynolds hears from countries across the continent; including Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. Three of our guests, meanwhile, felt forced to move abroad for their own safety, and now live in the UK and US. One describes how he was tricked into revealing his homosexuality against his will after replying to a message on social media – and was then threatened. He tells how his mother was tortured when some men came to her house looking for him. A Ugandan woman, relates how she was forced into marrying a man 10 years older than her; but having quit the marriage, her children are now being brought up by her mother. Her father has disowned her. (Photo: A rainbow heart. Credit: Getty Images)