Homosexuals in Rwanda: Protected by the Law, but Excluded by Society

In Rwanda, a country with deeply rooted cultural and religious values, living openly as a homosexual remains a daily challenge.

Although Rwandan law does not criminalize homosexuality, LGBTQ+ people face persistent social stigma and discrimination that marginalize them in all aspects of their lives.

In a discreet house on the outskirts of Kigali, Jean-Claude (a pseudonym), 27, agrees to share his story.

“When I revealed my sexual orientation to my family, I was immediately thrown out. My mother cried as if I had died, and for three years now, my father has refused to speak to me,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion.

Jean-Claude is not an isolated case. Ariella, a 24-year-old lesbian living in Huye, recounts: “People call me umutinganyi as an insult. At church, I am told that I have a demon. I even lost a job after my boss discovered that I was dating a girl.”

These testimonies highlight the painful reality of a community forced to live in the shadows. Fear of family rejection, social exclusion, and verbal or physical violence drives many LGBTQ+ individuals to lead a double life.

A conservative and silent society

According to an internal study conducted in 2022 by HDI Rwanda (Health Development Initiative), many LGBTQ+ respondents reported being victims of at least one form of discrimination linked to their sexual orientation. The most common acts include family isolation as well as harassment in schools or at the workplace.

Igihozo Diane, a human rights expert at HDI Rwanda, explains that Rwandan culture avoids addressing issues related to sexuality, and even more so those concerning sexual diversity.

According to her, this lack of dialogue fosters troubling ignorance, as many still believe that homosexuality is either a disease or a Western import.

This perception is also reflected in institutions. While the Rwandan Constitution guarantees equality for all before the law, there is no specific legislation explicitly protecting LGBTQ+ people against discrimination or hate speech.

In Rwanda, homosexuality is not a crime. The Penal Code revised in 2018 does not include any provision criminalizing same-sex relationships. But this legal neutrality has its limits.

Me Claudine, a lawyer with the Kigali Bar Association, states:

“It is true that Rwandan law does not punish homosexuality. However, the absence of specific anti-discrimination laws makes it difficult to defend LGBTQ+ victims. Justice requires strong evidence, and often, victims do not even dare to file a complaint.”

The role of civil society

In this hostile context, organizations such as HDI Rwanda play a crucial role. They provide counseling services, inclusive medical care, psychological support groups, and lead awareness campaigns.

“Our goal is to humanize the debate. We train healthcare providers to respect all patients, regardless of their orientation. It is essential to break stereotypes, especially in rural areas,” explains a psychologist partnering with HDI.

Despite the challenges, part of Rwanda’s LGBTQ+ youth is beginning to organize and express itself.

In Rwanda, homosexuals live in a paradox: They are not officially persecuted, but they are not protected either. Their daily lives are marked by fear of rejection and invisibility.

Voices are rising slowly but surely calling for respect, inclusion, and equal rights. For the constitutional promise of equality before the law to become a reality for all Rwandans, regardless of their sexual orientation.

In 2022, in collaboration with HDI (Health Development Initiative) and APHRC (African Population and Health Research Center), the results of a study conducted among participants were published, entitled : “Examination of LGBT People’s Lived Experiences and Public Perceptions of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Rwanda.”

In this report shows that:

The lived experiences of LGBT people

Socio-demographic characteristics

A total of 499 LGBT individuals responded to the survey, broken down by location as follows:

Kigali (55%), Huye (17%), Muhanga (15%), and Nyanza (12%). The average age of the LGBT participants was 26 ($5.7) years. Ninety-six percent of respondents had attended school, with 55% having vocational training as their highest level of education. A third (34%) had been married. Most participants (64.5%) were unemployed while 19.2% were in formal employment, and 11% were self-employed.

The demographic details reveal diverse SOGI groups. Table 2 shows that 62.5% identified as gay, 23.8% as bisexual, and 13.4% as heterosexual. Thirty-nine percent identified as gender non-conforming and close to a third (32%) stated they were cisgender males. Cisgender females constituted 11% of the sample.

Discrimination in different places

Most respondents agreed that LGBT individuals experience discrimination. Seventy percent of participants said that LGBT people faced discrimination in health facilities and social protection/welfare programs (Figure 10). Approximately two-thirds agreed that LGBT people face discrimination in places of work (62%), learning institutions (63%), homes (63%), communities (64%), and public spaces (63%). One key informant noted that LGBT people faced discrimination because of service providers’ cultural and religious values:

Survey chart illustrating perceptions and experiences of LGBT people in Rwanda, highlighting fear, discrimination, limited acceptance, and safety concerns within communities.

Perceptions of Discrimination: Survey findings show that transgender and intersex people are viewed as facing the highest levels of discrimination compared to other sexual orientations.

With : Aimé Gérard UFITINEMA