Sierra Leone

The British colonial era Offenses Against the Person Act (1861) remains in force in the country, punishing men found guilty of "buggery" with sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. The law is rarely enforced, but it contributes to discrimination against LGBTIQ people in the country. There have been several reports of arbitrary arrests of LGBTQ persons for various reasons, including dressing as a different gender, "promoting gay activities in the community," or holding an "LGBT event."

The Employment Act (2013) prohibits discrimination based on “sexuality.” There are no other explicit legal protections for LGBTIQ people from discrimination and violence. According to a 2023 U.S. State Department report, activists reported that bias-motivated rape of lesbian, bisexual, and queer women is prevalent and that LGBTIQ people face widespread discrimination, family rejection, and eviction.

The 2021-2023 Afrobarometer ranks Sierra Leone among the worst countries in terms of acceptance of sexual diversity, with 94 percent of respondents in the country claiming that they would dislike having "homosexuals" as neighbors. A 2022 survey shows that only seven percent of respondents in Sierra Leone believe that the country is a good place for lesbian and gay people to live. 

Trans people cannot change their legal gender markers in Sierra Leone. Intersex infants and children are not protected from non-consensual medical interventions. LGBTIQ organizations exist in the country, but Outright research indicates that there are significant barriers for them to openly register as such.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.