Hidden lives and rising dangers for LGBTQ+ people in Senegal

Since Senegal doubled prison sentences for same-sex relations in March, fear has taken hold among the LGBTQ+ community. Many now see exile as their only option, with calls for help pouring in from Dakar to France.

From uneasy tolerance to open persecution

For years, homosexuality remained a taboo but tolerated reality in Senegal. Police rarely intervened unless public order was disturbed. That fragile balance shattered when the National Assembly approved a law increasing penalties from five to ten years imprisonment for same-sex relationships on March 11. The legal shift coincided with a surge in arrests of individuals linked to high-profile figures, amplifying public hostility.

Everyday terror in a climate of growing hostility

Chérif* landed in France in early June, certain he could no longer stay in Senegal. «I knew I would be arrested,» he recalled. Weeks earlier, a man he had been seeing was detained. When the news broke, Chérif’s first thought was flight. «As soon as I read about it in the press, escape was all I could think about.»

The case made headlines because the arrested man was reportedly close to Ousmane Sonko, now President of the National Assembly, who pushed for the stricter penalties. Local media reported multiple arrests of suspected partners. «I knew the police would search my friend’s phone and find messages implicating me,» Chérif explained. «I deleted every message, photo, and trace of my hidden life.»

Across Senegal, the atmosphere has turned suffocating. In homes, streets, and on social media, «everyone is talking about homosexuals,» and hate speech spreads without restraint. «They’re corrupting the youth, destroying the…

Coordinated support from activists

Organizations like Stop Homophobie, SOS Homophobie, and Le Refuge have intensified their efforts to assist those seeking to flee. The surge in emergency calls reflects the growing desperation of a community pushed to the edge.

For many, the choice is stark: live in hiding or risk imprisonment—or worse. The new law has not only increased penalties but also emboldened vigilantes and fueled a wave of persecution that shows no sign of abating.