Country Overview
Democratic Republic of Congo
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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Although same-sex relations are not criminalized in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are also no laws explicitly protecting LGBTIQ people. The age of consent is higher for same-sex than for different-sex relations. Article 176 of the Penal Code criminalizes activities deemed an offense to public decency. There have been several attempts to introduce laws that would explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex relations, including a bill introduced by a member of parliament in April 2024. Anti-LGBT rhetoric by government officials creates a hostile environment for LGBTIQ persons, contributing to violence and discrimination. In March and April 2023, trans people were assaulted and sexually harassed in voting registration centers in the country, sometimes under the eyes of law enforcement.
*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.
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