Senegal: 2 Teens Convicted and Another Accused of Gay Sex

Even teenagers cannot escape the state sanctioned wave of anti-gay hysteria in Senegal.

"The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and Inner Circle are outraged at reports that a 17 year-old Senegalese man will stand trial on August 24 for sexual acts 'against nature' and that two other men were convicted on identical charges during the week of August 10, 2009. The three men, all from the town of Darou Mousty, in Louga, Senegal, were arrested and detained for alleged same-sex relations on June 19, 2009, together with a fourth man whose status is currently unknown. The first two men were sentenced to two and five years in prison respectively. Reports indicate that denunciations from neighbors were the only evidence against the men. These are the latest in a pattern of arbitrary arrests and detentions based on perceived sexual orientation in Senegal, a country in which same-sex relations are illegal, homophobia is widespread, and incitement toward violence against those perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is often encouraged by politicians and religious leaders."

The media and Muslim imams have urged citizens to form lynch mobs and stone gays in Senegal, where even the graves of suspected gay men are not safe from violence and desecration.

You May Have Missed ...
Gay Man's Body Removed from Senegal Cemetery [R20]
Senegal: Muslim Leaders Urge Citizens to Stone Gays [R20]
Arrests Create "Panic" Among AIDS Activists [R20]
Senegal Sentences 9 Gay HIV Activists [R20]
Senegalese Gays Flee Country [R20]
Senegal Riot Police Fire Tear Gas at Hundreds [R20]
Senegal Releases Five Arrested at "Gay Wedding" [R20]
Senegal Condemned After Arrests of Gay Men [R20]
Senegalese Debate SA Marriage Law [R20]

Comments

[DW Jazzlover]

In this part of the world it is the word (Gay) that people respond to. Same-sex sex is rampant!

[Rahsaan]

Horrible, horrible news. I feel so strongly for my LGBT sisters and brothers in much of Africa. They are being literally attacked and stoned in the streets and hunted down like animals. Shame.

[Jamel Smith]

Those people are evil and nuts. Somebody should remind them that we are living in the 21st century, and not the 19th!

I don't see the advance nations arresting homosexuals.

And these so-called "religious" leaders are pathetic. They misuse and abuse their power in the name of God. Christians and Muslims are killing each other in Africa. They are arresting and killing folks just because they are not heterosexual.

If this is not enough evidence to show the world that homosexuals are the most oppressed group WORLDWIDE, I rest my case. And what is truly evil is that people are killing us in the name of God.

[mjolnir202]

This is so dreadful. Like so many other countries in Africa and the Caribbean, this about scapegoating. Governments that can't provide basic services to their people, politicians stealing from every till, riling up the ignorant masses to hate the 'Gay Monster'. It works every time.

As for the religious leaders, well, where has there ever been murderous oppresion anywhere when they weren't involved?

[FREELEO]

I love this blog, but sometimes I read it and just want to cry.

[Ravenback]

Sometimes all you can do is count your blessings.

[Former COGIC]

@ Freeleo: "I love this blog, but sometimes I read it and just want to cry."

I totally co-sign that. Sometimes I laugh or smile...but too many times I cry inside and cannot even comment.You never know how good you have it until you read something like this.

[Kevin Perez]

I'm sorry but anybody that tries to rationalize and justify this type of violence, especially if they're Black, African or from the West Indies, should be taken back to the good 'ol days and see if they feel the same way.

Of course in their sick minds God approves of this type of sh*t. They're going to be awarded in the next life, I'm sure!