Country Overview
Tanzania
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?
View more for this country:
Tanzania criminalizes consensual same-sex relations under Sections 154 and 155 of the Penal Code, imposing a penalty of 14 years imprisonment. The semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar also criminalizes consensual same-sex relations under Sections 150-154 of the Penal Decree (Act No. 6) of 2004 and prescribes a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Section 153 criminalizes same-sex relations between women, while Section 154 criminalizes gross indecency. In 1998, the Special Offences Special Provision Act amended the Penal Code, making consensual same-sex relations punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum of 30 years in prison. These provisions of the Penal Code 2022 are actively enforced. Human Dignity Trust has reported several arrests since 2017.
In 2023, following the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda, Tanzanian government officials began a concerted effort to further criminalize consensual same-sex relations. Prior to this, several political leaders had been reported to have instructed the security apparatus to crack down on LGBTIQ persons in both Tanzania and Zanzibar. Hostile rhetoric, together with existing conservative cultural and religious beliefs, has exacerbated the persecution of LGBTIQ people by authorities. Individuals have been subjected to forced anal testing to gather evidence to support charges of homosexuality. LGBTIQ NGOs and human rights defenders have been targeted and face reprisals for their human rights work.
*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
View this regionAsia
Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
View this regionSouthwest Asia and North Africa
In the Southwest Asia and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
Global
View this region
Human Rights Research
Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.
Read Our Reports