Military service Unknown | ||
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Same-sex sexual activity legal? Legal since 2004, with an equal age consent Discrimination protections Yes since 2008. In the area of employment only | ||
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Cape Verde may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Cape Verde, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
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Laws regarding same-sex sexual acts
In the 1886 penal code for Cape Verde, Article 71 stated that unnatural acts were illegal. Then, in 2004, Cape Verde amended their penal code and became the second African country to legalize same-sex sexual acts. At the time of decriminalization, the legal age of consent was 16 years old, the same age for consensual heterosexual acts. As of 2015, the age of consent in Cape Verde is 14.
Discrimination protections
Discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace is banned by articles 45(2) and 406(3) of the Labour Code since 2008.
Living conditions
In line with other former Portuguese African colonies, Cape Verde is reported to be one of the most tolerant countries in Africa towards gays and lesbians.
The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "legal provisions helped provide protection for homosexual conduct; however, societal discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity continued to be a problem. There were no lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons' organizations active in the country."
United Nations
In 2008, Cape Verde was one of 66 countries that signed a General Assembly document stating that human rights are not limited based on sexual orientations or gender identities.