Homosexuality continues to be a taboo subject in Africa and other black communities around the world. Sexual attraction or relationship between members of the same sex or gender has evolved from being a hidden practice to a symbol of pride.
Out of the 195 countries in the world, 72 of them are no-go areas for same-sex couples as they risk threats, criminal charges, prison sentence and even the death penalty.
A world map released by Australian insurance company Travel Insurance Direct identified countries and territories according to how tolerant national attitudes were towards LBGTI couples.
The map is shaded from red to purple which respectively indicates countries with illegal or intolerant attitudes towards homosexuality and countries where same-sex marriage has been legalised.
Most countries in Africa are highly intolerant of homosexuality and have high-security risks for same-sex couples.
Homosexuality is illegal in these countries:
Algeria
Libya
Egypt
Sudan
Ethiopia
Ghana
Togo
Nigeria
Morocco
Somalia
Kenya
Tanzania
Mauritania
Tunisia
Guinea
Sierra Leone
The Gambia
Liberia
Cameroon
Chad
Eritrea
South Sudan
Uganda
Malawi
Zambia
Angola
Namibia
Botswana
Swaziland
Zimbabwe
In these countries, there is no law against homosexuality but there is high intolerance:
Mali
Niger
Burkina Faso
Côte d’Ivoire
Benin
Gabon
Congo
DR Congo
Central African Republic
Madagascar
Djibouti
In these countries homosexuality is legal but there are no other protections:
Guinea-Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
Lesotho
Mozambique
Rwanda
Same-sex marriage is allowed in this country:
South Africa
BY ISMAIL AKWEI
Source