Congo

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

5.2 million

World Bank, 2018

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

N/A

There is virtually no available data on the SGM population in Congo. The U.S. State Department reported zero open homosexuality in Congo due to a strong cultural stigma against it.

Congo's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples	No
Civil Unions	No
Joint Adoption	No
Second Parent Adoption	No

PROTECTION

Employment Nondiscrimination Laws	No
Broad Protections	No
Criminalization of Violence	No
Ban of Conversion Therapy	No

CRIMINALIZATION

Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?	Yes*
Gender	Does Not Apply
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)	Does Not Apply

*But age of consent is 21, three years higher than that for different sex acts

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

There is a complete lack of literature aboutCongo’s LGBTQ+ population on the Internet. There are unofficial reports of homophobic incidents such as beatings or arrests of openly gay Congolese citizens.There are two large NGOs dedicated to promoting gay rights in Congo, but no organizations dedicated to other sects of the LGBTQ+ community. Stigma against those with HIV/AIDS does not seem to be as prevalent as homophobia.

The World Bank. (2019). Congo, Rep. Data. https://data.worldbank.org/country/congo-rep.

(2015). Republic of the Congo 2015 Human Rights Report.U.S. State Department. https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/252883.pdf