In the 20th century, the term “lesbian” evolved to distinguish women with a sexual orientation.
A 2019 survey found that 54% of South African respondents thought society should accept homosexuality. Western Europe, Canada, and Australia countries had the highest rates of acceptance of homosexuality worldwide.
Source: TVC News Nigeria
Even though Kenya came in last in the global comparison, acceptance of those who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) has significantly increased since 2002.
The lowest level of acceptance among interviewees was found in Nigeria, at 7%, out of the four African nations considered.
In Africa, prejudice and stigmatisation toward homosexuals and other sexual minorities are deeply ingrained in cultural and religious values.
Opponents of homosexuality in Africa have often used broad religious or cultural justifications to defend it, claiming that the Bible or Qur’an forbid same-sex relationships or that they were unheard of in pre-colonial African society.
The correct interpretation of biblical references to homosexuality is still up for debate, sometimes with venom, among religious scholars on both sides of the argument.
The claim that homosexuality was introduced to Africa by colonialism and is incompatible with tradition and culture is contested by recent academic research from African and Northern scholars.
Traditionalists also worry that same-sex households may not have children, complicating traditional family and inheritance customs.
In Africa, transgender people face severe punishment for being who they are. While silence, repression, and uncertainty have impacted and continue to influence the perceptions of African lesbian sexualities.
Despite the dangers, a slowly increasing number of African gays and lesbians have recently come out of the closet to face stigma, inspired by the growth of democracy and motivated by the need to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Currently, there are lesbians and homosexuals in Nigeria. Still, most of them conceal their lifestyles under the guise of fashion, claiming that, in the case of cross-dressers, their lifestyle is primarily for entertainment or acting as creative artists.
Some countries in Africa that accommodate same sex marriage
1. Angola
Angola is one of the 54 Africans countries to legalize same-sex relationships, after passing a law that came into effect in February 2021. The new law overrule a ban on same-sex relationships that dates back to when the country was a Portuguese colony; and states that discrimination based on sexual orientation can be punishable by imprisonment of up to two years.
2. Botswana
Botswana’s High Court decriminalised both male and female same-sex relationships in 2019. It replaced a law that has been in place since 1965, when the country was under British rule, which outlaws “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature” and was punishable by up to seven years in jail.
3. Mozambique
In 2015, Mozambique dropped from its penal code a colonial-era clause outlawing same-sex relationships as “vices against nature”.
4. Lesotho
Before the current Penal Code act, homosexuality was illegal for men, but in 2010 homosexuality was decriminalised in its entirety.
5. Republic of Seychelles
Seychelles decriminalised “same-sex acts” in May 2016, after lawmakers voted to amend section 151 of the country’s Penal Code Act that referred to sodomy as a felony and made it punishable with up to 14 years in prison.
Dating site for Lesbians
Lesbians dating presents a lot of challenges as Africans, and dating as a minority within a minority is even more difficult.
For Black lesbians, finding commonality and avoiding harassment are just two of the major challenges when looking for love and a satisfying sex life, but Black lesbian dating apps aim to help.
These online dating platforms help Black singles maintain their safety and peace, and make it easy for Black women to find their perfect match.
- Passion.com
- EliteSingles
- Only Women
- Lesbian Dating Africa
- Mingle2
- Zoe
- OurTime
- Match
- BlackPeopleMeet
- Adult Friend Finder
- HER
- LesbianPersonals
In summary,
In Africa today, a sizeable number of women are engaged in it. While many people view this as a bad omen because they think it is un-African, unhealthy, and irreligious, others are unconcerned about it because they believe everyone has the right to their own space to love whomever they choose and shouldn’t be punished for it.
They think the feeling of love knows no boundaries and can come to anyone at any time, allowing the individual to express it to whomever they choose.
As a result, people who want to date people of the same sex may have a medical condition, or cupid may be at work in their lives.
In the end, perhaps someday, Africa will soon work to accept that all lives matter, irrespective of their lifestyle choice.
