Angola becomes first country in 2019 to legalise same-sex conduct
The south-African country adopted its first new penal code since gaining independence in 1975
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Angola has become the first country in 2019 to decriminalise same-sex conduct.
According to the Human Rights Watch, the south-African country – which gained independence from Portugal in 1975 – decided to remove the ‘vices against nature’ provision in its law, which was widely interpreted as a ban on homosexual conduct.
The country also prohibited discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation and anyone refusing to employ or provide services to people based on their sexual orientation can face up to two years in prison.
The new changes came into effect on January 23 as Angola’s parliament adopted its first new penal code since gaining independence.
Angola have abolished a colonial-era law that criminalised and victimised LGBTQ+ people pic.twitter.com/O77tLNhJrS
— Betty 🇿🇦🇿🇲 (@contrxdiction91) January 24, 2019