Acts, Expressions of Violence, Homophobia Against Gays, Lesbians in Africa on the Rise – Amnesty International

Homophobia, defined as the hatred or fear of homosexuals, is growing in Africa so much so that acts and expressions of violence against gay and lesbians have grown more visible and discriminatory, according to Amnesty International.

The attacks, which are sometimes deadly, "must be stopped," Widney Brown, Amnesty's director of law and policy, said on Tuesday. "No one should be beaten or killed because of who they are attracted to or intimately involved with."

Some of the discriminatory attacks made against gay and lesbian people in South Africa include lack of access to health care and harassment by the police. While in Cameroon, people who appear to be gay or lesbian were arrested and imprisoned for three years without trial or charge.

Homosexuality or same-sex conduct is very much considered a crime in 38 countries in the sub-Saharan Africa. South Sudan and Burundi, for instance, in just the past five years, introduced laws that criminalise same-sex acts. Liberia, Nigeria and Uganda are bound to strengthen anti-gay sentiments, with each having bills pending in parliament that seek to increase existing penalties for gay sex.

In Uganda, parliament wants to impose the death penalty for "aggravated" homosexuality. It would also criminalise failure to report violations within 24 hours.

"The very existence of laws criminalizing same-sex relations -- whether they are enforced or not -- sends a toxic message that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are criminals and have no rights," Ms Brown said.

"These poisonous laws must be repealed and the human rights of all Africans upheld."