Benin

Benin maintains same-sex acts legal (age of consent equalized in 2018), being one of the few francophone African countries without criminalization. No partnership recognition. Limited protections: hate speech and violence since 2017, personal data protection on sexual orientation. No gender identity protection. Widespread social persecution: community rarely open about sexuality. Documented cases of violence, extortion and youth homelessness. Cotonou as economic hub · clandestine scene · Christian and Vodun religious pressure.

Population 13,7M Capital Porto Novo Language French Currency West African CFA Franc (XOF)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Benin

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LGBT identity

Legal · equal consent 2018

Same-sex sexual acts legal between consenting adults · age of consent equalized in 2018 · one of few francophone African countries without criminalization

Partnership recognition

No recognition

Same-sex couples have no legal status · diplomatic recognition limited to foreign diplomats' partners (visa/immunity)

Legal protection

Partial · 2017 hate speech

Narrow shield on grounds of sexual life and orientation · hate speech and violence covered since 2017 · personal-data processing restrictions · gender identity excluded

Trans rights

No recognition

No legal protection against gender identity discrimination · no documented right to legal gender change · no affirmative healthcare

Conversion therapies

Unregulated

No official information on practices or regulation · Christian and Vodun religious context may include undocumented practices

Social context · Benin

Social acceptance

Hostile

Hostile · widespread persecution

LGBT residents largely closeted under social pressure · mixed conservative Christian/Muslim/Vodun society

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Anti-LGBT violence

Documented

Documented · extortion

Reports of harassment, violence and extortion targeting LGBT · documented assaults and youth homelessness tied to SO · 2017 anti-hate speech law rarely enforced

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Indicative data as of 2026-05-18. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Benin

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Benin

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Benin

Social context · Benin

Experiencesgay friendly · Benin

Experiences
gay friendly · Benin