LGBT+ in Cape Verde

Cape Verde is becoming increasingly LGBT-friendly, and is a pioneer in Africa when it comes to recognizing the rights of the LGBT+ community. 

LGBT+ rights in Cape Verde

Same-sex relationships between men and women have been legal in the country since 2004. It was the second African territory to legally recognize this right, preceded only by South Africa.

In employment terms, discrimination based on sexual orientation has been criminalized since 2008.

In 2018, Cabo Verde became the first African country to sign the Equal Rights Coalition (Equal Rights Coalition - ERC, an intergovernmental organization of 42 member states dedicated to protecting the rights of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) people.)

LGBT+ movement in Cape Verde

The country currently has three official LGBTI organizations: the Cape Verdean Gay Association, Rainbow Association and LGBTI Association of Praia.

Despite the gains made so far, LGBT+ couples still face some legal challenges not experienced by heterosexuals, such as the fact that the law still does not recognize same-sex unions or marriages. Social surveys with members of the community point to the fact that there is still some hypocrisy towards the LGBTI+ community in Cape Verdean society because, although homosexuality is culturally accepted, homosexual relationships or displays are expected to be discreet. Furthermore, Cape Verdean society is still considerably patriarchal, macho and heteronormative.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is it safe to visit Cape Verde as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex person?

Data from Afrobarometer indicate that Cape Verde is the most tolerant country to the LGTB+ community on the African continent, with 80% of Cape Verdeans surveyed revealing that they would be receptive or wouldn't mind having a homosexual neighbor. Reports of homosexual couples in tripadvisor say they have not experienced any problems for being LGBT+ while visiting the islands.

2. Are there any LGBT+ leisure establishments (bars, restaurants, nightclubs, etc.) in Cape Verde?

So far, we don't know of any leisure establishments (bars, restaurants, nightclubs, etc.) specifically aimed at the LGBT+ public in Cape Verde.

3. Which islands are more receptive to the LGBT community?

Based on personal observations, the level of receptiveness to LGBT+ people in general doesn't seem to vary much between most of the islands. However, the cities of Mindelo (São Vicente), Santa Maria (Sal) and Praia (Santiago), being more cosmopolitan, tend to be more liberal towards LGBT+ people.

All of them, São Vicente is definitely the most LGBT-friendly island in Cape Verdehaving already been referred to as a LGBT oasis in Africa! In 2013, the country's first LGBT pride parade was organized on the island.

CuriosityTchinda Andrade, a native of São Vicente, was the first homosexual man to publicly come out as gay in Cape Verde, in a local newspaper in 1998. This was an important milestone in the recognition of the LGBT+ community in the country. "Tchindas" was and still is, albeit to a lesser extent, the popular name given to homosexuals on the island of São Vicente. A interesting feature film homologue of 2015 tells a little about the history and experiences of LGBT+ people in São Vicente.