LGBTQ rights in the Central African Republic

LGBTQ rights in the Central African Republic
Central African Republic
Status	Legal
Gender identity	No
Military	No
Discrimination protections	None
Family rights
Recognition of relationships	No
Restrictions	Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned since 2016
Adoption	No

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the Central African Republic face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in the Central African Republic, but LGBTQ persons still face discrimination among the broader population.

The Central African Republic was one of the few African states that signed a "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, condemning violence and discrimination against LGBTQ people.

Laws regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex sexual activity is legal. However, according to the U.S. Department of State's 2012 human rights report, ^[1]

The penal code criminalizes "public expression of love" between persons of the same sex is imprisonment for six months to two years or a fine of between 150,000 and 600,000 CFA francs ($300 and $1,200). When one of the participants is a child, the adult may be sentenced to two to five years' imprisonment or a fine of 100,000 to 800,000 CFA francs ($200 and $1,600); however, there were no reports that police arrested or detained persons [in 2012] under these provisions.

Recognition of same sex relationships

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples.

Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned as marriage is defined in Article 7 of the Constitution as "the union between one man and one woman ... Family and marriage are under the protection of the State." ^[2]

Adoption and family planning

According to a website of the French government, single and married people are eligible to adopt children. The website does not say whether single LGBTQ people are disqualified or not. ^[3]

Living conditions

The U.S. Department of State's 2012 Human Rights Report found that, ^[1]

There were no reports of the government targeting gays and lesbians. However, societal discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons was entrenched, and many citizens attributed the existence of homosexuality to undue Western influence. There were no known organizations advocating or working on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons.

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal	(Always legal)
Equal age of consent	(Always equal)
Anti-discrimination laws in hate speech and violence
Anti-discrimination laws in employment
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Same-sex marriage	(Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned since 2016)
Recognition of same-sex couples
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples
Joint adoption by same-sex couples
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military
Right to change legal gender
Access to IVF for lesbians
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
MSMs allowed to donate blood

See also

• LGBTQ portal
• Central African Republic portal

• Human rights in the Central African Republic
• LGBTQ rights in Africa

References

1. "2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Central African Republic, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, pp. 34–35" (PDF).
2. ""Constitution of the Central African Republic", National Assembly of the CAR" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
3. ""Fiches pays Adoption: Centrafrique", France Diplomatie, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Google translation".