10 Countries Where Homosexuality is Forbidden

KingKush
Feb 26, 2022
5 min read

Homosexuality is the sexual attraction or sexual relations with a person of the same sex or gender. Homosexuality is seen as taboo in many countries and cultures, as it is seen as sin and an act of perversion. History shows that religion plays a huge part regarding LGBTQ rights Laws. The effects homosexuality had on different cultures and societies goes back to the early 1980s when HIV/AIDS came around. Homosexuality is then seen as “Western thing” by the rest of the world and deemed sinful and unacceptable. With respects to different cultures that appropriates LGBTQ, these are the 10 countries that homosexuality is ruled impermissible, prohibiting and criminalizing any gay activities with punishments of up to death penalty.

1.Saudi Arabia

LGBTQ rights are not recognized in Saudi Arabia whatsoever. Any gay behaviour is downright immoral and unethical. Saudi Arabia prohibits homosexuality and punishes according to the Quran and the Sharia Law. Penalties are criminalized by public executions, torture, beatings and up to life in prison plus death sentence. Any online gay activities are strictly prohibited as Saudi cyber security monitors such activities and prosecutes any such individuals. In 2019 two gay Saudi journalists demanded asylum in Australia after they were found to be involved in a romantic relationship. Gay Saudi men are regularly seeking asylum abroad as they are faced with prosecutions and discrimination.

2.Nigeria

The most populous country in Africa with about 210 million people. Nigeria does not recognize LGBTQ rights and criminalizes according to Sharia Law. All gay doings are regarded as a sin and is punishable with up to death penalty. According to a Pew Global 2013 Survey, 97% of Nigerians said homosexuality should be banned in the country, thus it is punishable by death by stoning and up to 14 years in prison. “In Nigeria, gay men are portrayed as cancers eating deeply into the fabric of society”- Richard Akuson a Nigerian lawyer and founder of A Nasty Boy magazine.

3.Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the countries in the Caribbean that prohibits LGBTQ rights. Absolutely NO “BATTY BWOYS”, no gays allowed in Jamaica. Jamaica criminalizes any “unnatural sexual acts and attempts to perform indecent sexual acts.” buggery law is a law that outlaw’s homosexuality. There’s been a wide range of media attention concerning the discrimination of gays in Jamaica. Gays in Jamaica are beaten, tortured and publicly executed plus penalties that range from 10 years in prison with hard labour. There’s no law that protects gays in Jamaica whatsoever. Buju Banton’s song Boom Bye Bye is a controversial song that shows hatred towards LGBTQ and faced backlash from mainstream media. Jamaican artists are forced to sign a "reggae compassionate act" regarding their lyrics portraying violence towards gays.

4. Qatar

Qatar like many Arab countries that follow Islam, strictly prohibits homosexuality under Sharia Law. Qatar outlaws all homosexual undertakings and does not recognize LGBTQ rights. Qatar penalizes individuals engaged in homosexual activities with penalties and fines up to 7 years in prison. Adultery and other extramarital sex are strictly prohibited. Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has said to fans to refrain from all homosexual activities during the games and wait until they return to their countries where they can do as they wish. Any gay flags seen being worn will be seen as disrespect to Islam and Sharia Law, instigating a controversy between Muslim brotherhood in the middle east and around the world.

5.Ethiopia

Homosexuality is illegal in Ethiopia, and it is punishable with up to 15 years to life in prison. Ethiopia sees homosexuality as a Western Perversion. Discrimination is common for LGBTQ people. The President of United Life- Dr. Seyoum Antoniyos said homosexuality is a “deep psychological problem, often caused by abuse of some form of social crisis.” 97% of Ethiopians reject homosexuality, according to a survey done by Pew Global Attitudes Project in 2007 .Gays in Ethiopia often get a backlash for the country’s major HIV/AIDS problem and are discriminated and often called “Booshtee” which is a derogatory term for a gay person in Ethiopia, often used as an insult for a despicable being.

6.Egypt

Since the Arab spring of 2011, Egypt has seen a major shift in LGBTQ rights. LGBTQ rights were illegal since 2000 with punishments of up to 17 years in prison with hard labour, fines as well as deportations were laid for penalties. Egypt’s morality laws prohibit any gay endeavors and they do not recognize same-sex marriages, gender identity and reconstruction surgery are allowed with special circumstances. Since 2011 LGBTQ rights activists are seen as acceptable since the Arab spring but still looked down upon by Egyptian society.

7. Sudan

Homosexuality is illegal in Sudan since 1899. All gay acts are prohibited, breaking the law will result in punishments from 2 years to life in prison. In July 2020, Sudan has lifted the death penalty for homosexuals for both men and women. Like many Islamic countries, Sudan punishes individuals engaged in gay sexual interests by flogging and lashes, torture, and public executions in some parts of the country. It is immoral for both Christians and Muslims in Sudan to be involved in homosexual relationship. Gays are frowned upon and discriminated. Homosexuality is unacceptable in Sudanese culture.

8. Uganda

Uganda has “Carnal Law knowledge against the order of nature.” This law criminalizes and punishes any individual engaged in any homosexual activity. The Ugandan Anti- homosexuality act was passed on December 17th, 2013, this law penalizes all gay activities with up to life in prison, torture, beatings and executions are also common. There is no recognition of LGBTQ rights in Uganda whatsoever.

9. Lebanon

A 2007 Pew Survey showed 79% of Lebanese believed that homosexuality should be banned in the country. In 2020 ,85% of Lebanese reject the rights to recognize LGBTQ. Gays continually face challenges and discrimination, with penalties of up to one year in prison. Punishments for gays are rarely imposed, Lebanon also allows gender reconstruction surgeries. Lebanon is considered freer than all the other Arab and Muslim countries when it comes to LGBTQ rights.

10. Afghanistan

Islamic Sharia Law is imposed in Afghan culture especially when it comes to LGBTQ. Afghanistan strictly prohibits all gay activities, sexual relations should be between a man and woman. Afghanistan carries a maximum death penalty. After American invasion in 2001, there was reinstatement of the LGBT rights offering lesser punishments. Now that Afghanistan is under the Taliban, the country is back to Islamic rule and absolutely prohibits homosexuality.

With Respects to countries that allows homosexuality and sees it as normal. LGBTQ rights is seen as a moral issue around the world, no matter the religion. Humans know, its common since those sexual relationships should be between a man and woman. Homosexuality is an act of perversion that disrespects the values of a human being. Western societies have changed how humans perceived sexual relationship as there are western sexual practises that are completely unacceptable. Most African countries, Arab countries and some Asian countries strictly prohibits all homosexual relations handing out penalties of up to death. LGBTQ is seen as stigma and a taboo around the world. All sexual relations should be between a man and woman and should be done so in a respectable manner.