Capital city in Western Area, Sierra Leone
Is Freetown LGBTQ+ friendly?
2/5Hostile
Is Freetown LGBTQ+ friendly?
The 1861 law allows up to life imprisonment, rarely enforced, and attitudes are conservative. Keep private.
LGBTQ+ laws in Sierra Leone
Prosecutions are rare, but attitudes are conservative and public displays can provoke hostility. Be discreet.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | No |
| Same-sex marriage | No |
| Civil unions or partnerships | No |
| Legal gender change | No |
| Anti-discrimination law | No |
| Legal penalty | Up to life imprisonment under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act. |
Quick answers
Is Freetown safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
The 1861 law allows up to life imprisonment, rarely enforced, and attitudes are conservative. Keep private.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Sierra Leone?
No.
More about Freetown
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- Sierra Leone e-visa portal
- Speedtest Global Index: Sierra Leone
- Sierra Leone National Tourist Board
- Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.