Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 with the post-independence penal-code decree (No. 4/93), which omits same-sex offences. No partnership recognition. Anti-discrimination does not explicitly apply to LGBT, although the domestic violence law (Article 5) does include sexual orientation. No trans framework. Notably, 9% consider homosexual behavior morally acceptable and 15% "not an issue" — unusually moderate levels for West Africa. Bissau as small capital · poor and politically unstable country · no visible LGBT scene · local NGOs report some violence cases (2018).

Population 2,1M Capital Bisáu Language Portuguese Currency West African CFA Franc (XOF)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Guinea-Bissau

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LGBT identity

Legal since 1993

1993 decree (No. 4/93) replaced the colonial code · no criminalisation of consensual same-sex acts between adults

Partnership recognition

No recognition

Same-sex households lack any dedicated legal regime (heterosexual-couple protections are out of reach)

Legal protection

Limited · domestic violence art. 5

General anti-discrimination law excludes SOGI · domestic violence statute (Art. 5) does cover sexual orientation

Trans rights

No recognition

No legal recognition · right to change legal gender not available · no documented affirmative care

Conversion therapies

Unregulated

No official information on practices or regulation

Social context · Guinea-Bissau

Social acceptance

Mixed

Mixed · 9% accept · 15% indifferent

Among Guinea-Bissauans polled, 9% considered gay behaviour morally acceptable and 15% deemed it a non-issue — uncharacteristically moderate readings for West Africa. Syncretic Christian/Muslim/animist society.

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Anti-LGBT violence

Documented

Documented · NGO (2018)

Civil society reports isolated SO-motivated attacks (2018 NGO accounts) · no violent incidents reported in 2012

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