Rising Hostility Towards L.G.B.T.Q. Community in Ivory Coast

For many years, Ivory Coast stood out as a refuge for L.G.B.T.Q. individuals, offering them a sense of safety amid the pervasive discrimination and persecution faced by similar communities across West Africa. However, a troubling shift has emerged over the past two months, marked by a surge in assaults, beatings, and online intimidation that have severely undermined this sense of security.

In a series of interviews and testimonies collected by various human rights organizations, numerous gay men and transgender individuals recounted harrowing experiences of being attacked and assaulted in Abidjan, the largest city in Ivory Coast. These incidents were reportedly incited by several social media influencers who urged their followers to “hunt woubis,” a derogatory term used to refer to effeminate gay men, which has evolved into a rallying cry against a marginalized community.

The atmosphere of hostility has been further amplified by disturbing displays of aggression, such as the unveiling of a banner containing a homophobic slur during a soccer match, which was met with cheers from the crowd. This public endorsement of hatred showcases a troubling trend that has emerged in what was once considered a more accepting society.

Adding to the climate of fear, the youngest member of Parliament, aligned with President Alassane Ouattara’s party, has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at “countering the expansion” of homosexuality in the nation. Such political maneuvers signal a significant regression in the protection and rights of L.G.B.T.Q. individuals.

As a result, human rights advocates are increasingly concerned that the overt hostility experienced by L.G.B.T.Q. communities in other West and Central African nations is now beginning to take root in Ivory Coast. Carlos Idibouo, a prominent Ivorian L.G.B.T.Q. activist and gender issues consultant, expressed deep concern, stating, “Ivory Coast was an oasis of peace for the community. Now we wonder, are people safe?”