With it being illegal to be homosexual in over half of the African continent, it’s clear there is still some acceptance to be found. While laws may say one thing, attitudes are even less tolerant and a good starting point is perhaps having laws that are not rooted in oppressing anyone. In Angola, the right steps have been taken as the country has instituted a new penal code that recognizes the LGBT community and decriminalizes homosexuality.
The new penal law states that, individuals found discriminating against members of the LGBT community may be subject to a prison term of up to two years.
With the news comes the acknowledgement of the existence and work of Iris Angola, the country’s only formal LBTQ organization. Reacting to the news, Iris Angola’s Carlos Fernandes said:
“We’re turning the page for gay citizens who now have a body that is recognized by the state which gives more weight to the work of our organisation.”
Source: OkayAfrica