LGBT rights in Cape Verde

LGBT rights in Cape Verde Cape Verde

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Legal since 2004, with an equal age consent[1]
Military service Unknown
Discrimination protections Yes since 2008. In the area of employment only

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Cape Verde may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Cape Verde, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

Laws regarding same-sex sexual acts

In the 1886 penal code for Cape Verde, Article 71 stated that unnatural acts were illegal.[1] Then, in 2004, Cape Verde amended their penal code and became the second African country to legalize same-sex sexual acts. At the time of decriminalization, the legal age of consent was 16 years old, the same age for consensual heterosexual acts.[2] As of 2015, the age of consent in Cape Verde is 14. [3]

Discrimination protections

Discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace is banned by articles 45(2) and 406(3) of the Labour Code since 2008.[1]

Living conditions

In line with other former Portuguese African colonies, Cape Verde is reported to be one of the most tolerant countries in Africa towards gays and lesbians.[4]

The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "legal provisions helped provide protection for homosexual conduct; however, societal discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity continued to be a problem. There were no lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons' organizations active in the country."[5]

United Nations

In 2008, Cape Verde was one of 66 countries that signed a General Assembly document stating that human rights are not limited based on sexual orientations or gender identities.[6]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal (Since 2004)
Equal age of consent (Since 2004)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment (Since 2008)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Same-sex marriage
Recognition of same-sex couples
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples
Joint adoption by same-sex couples
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military
Right to change legal gender
Access to IVF for lesbians
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
MSMs allowed to donate blood

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Itaborahy, L.P.; Jingshu, Zhu. "State-Sponored Homophobia: A world survey of laws: Criminalisation, protection and recognition of same-sex love" (PDF). old.ilga.org. ILGA. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  2. Epprecht, Marc (April 2012). "Sexual minorities, human rights and public health strategies in Africa". African Affiars. 111 (443): 223–243. doi:10.1093/afraf/ads019.
  3. "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012". State.gov. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  4. Stewart, Colin. "Africa's most and least homophobic countries". 76crimes.com. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  5. "2010 Human Rights Report: Cape Verde". state.gov. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  6. "UN: General Assembly Statement Affirms Rights for All". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
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